John Higgins says he is a 'better player now than ever' as Class of '92 legend explains secret to stunning Judd Trump semi-final comeback at Masters
By Rhys Jones
Published 17/01/2026 at 20:56 GMT
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John Higgins declared he has "still got it" after he produced a stunning comeback against Judd Trump in a thrilling semi-final clash at the Masters on Saturday. The Scotsman overcame a 3-0 deficit and did the same at 5-3 down to eventually capture a 6-5 win and stun the world No. 1, booking his place in Sunday's final against either Wu Yize or Kyren Wilson.
'I never gave up' - Higgins has 'still got it' with stunning Trump comeback at Masters
Video credit: TNT Sports
John Higgins has spent the latter half of this week at the Masters turning the improbable into the inevitable.
He described his incredible comeback against reigning Crucible winner Zhao Xintong as "lucky."
But the tone and language quickly changed after he bested Judd Trump 6-5 in the semi-finals. There was no mention of luck this time.
It was perhaps fortunate that the world No. 1 missed a fatal shot on the brown in the ninth frame, one that would have undoubtedly allowed him to wrap up a thrilling match.
But from Higgins' side? It was about perseverance, not giving up. A stone-cold refusal to let his chance slip and, when the opportunity arose, to take it without hesitation.
"Yeah, I've still got it," he confidently said at the end of his post-match interview.
Higgins fought back from 3-0 down, then from 5-3 down. Had Trump won his fourth consecutive frame before the interval, Higgins admitted that it would likely have been game over.
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'He's done it the hard way!' - Higgins books Masters final spot with phenomenal comeback
Video credit: TNT Sports
But the Scotsman pulled two frames back to cut the lead down to 3-2, only for Trump to recapture the lead with the following two frames.
"He's so tough. So tough to play against," Higgins said immediately after his victory.
"I missed a couple of reds. And then he does what he always does, just clears up. Even at 5-3 down, it was the same as when I played Xintong, I just told myself 'Don't give up.' Who knows? Maybe my name's on the trophy.
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"People will laugh, but I think I'm a better player now than I've ever been. I'm so proud because I've lost the last few against him. Maybe at the start of the match, he maybe should have been 4-0 in front. It was maybe too easy for him.
"It was a massive frame, the fourth frame. Because if he goes 4-0, then obviously the game's done. But 3-1 and I came out after that, and I felt good."
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'What a reprieve' - Trump squashes chance to win with astonishing missed brown
Video credit: TNT Sports
With a 5-3 lead, Trump had the chance to finish the match in the ninth frame and with the score 48-43 in Higgins’ favour, the frame was balanced on a knife's edge.
With what should have been a simple pot, the brown ricocheted back, sitting perfectly for Higgins to slip it into the pocket and begin a superb three-frame performance to clinch his place in Sunday's final.
"He was dictating the game, and it was maybe too easy for him in the first half. But I played a lot better after the interval," Higgins explained.
"But he hurt me with two sucker clearances, where you're the player on the receiving end, you just sigh.
"But I don't know what it is this week. I'm a lot happier, and I just never gave up, even at 5-3.
"There have been nights in the past where I'd think 'Right, I'm not going to win now' and I would half give up. But I wasn't going to let that happen there."
When asked what he thought about Trump's miss, Higgins said: "Wow. Judd just doesn't do that.
"When he's clutch, when he's got to do it under pressure, he just doesn't miss like that. I just can't believe he missed."
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