Vintage John Higgins overcomes Barry Hawkins to book spot in Tour Championship final
By Desmond Kane
Updated 05/04/2025 at 06:22 GMT+1
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John Higgins hit three superb centuries, including a tournament-high 144, to book his place in the Tour Championship final. Barry Hawkins offered stern resistance to the Scot's passage to Sunday's showpiece, temporarily snatching Higgins' high break prize with a superb 140, and the pair were locked at 4-4 after the first session. Higgins will face the winner of Mark Selby versus Ding Junhui.
'Shot of the century' - Higgins pots two reds with one shot to light up final
Video credit: TNT Sports
FINAL RESULT: HIGGINS 10-7 HAWKINS
John Higgins produced a vintage performance to remain on course for a second ranking title victory of the season with a 10-7 win over Barry Hawkins in the semi-finals of the Tour Championship.
Resuming at 4-4 from the afternoon session at Manchester Central, the four-time world champion stamped his authority on the match by winning six of the final nine frames to book his spot in Sunday's final.
The Scotsman compiled three centuries in the evening session, including the highest break of the tournament with a fabulous 144 in the 12th frame to overtake Hawkins' earlier effort of 140 at the end of the first session.
He will meet Mark Selby or Ding Junhui in the best-of-19 frame final in his 58th ranking final.
"Barry was in control this afternoon, but tonight I felt like I got the table right and felt good out there," said Higgins, who also felt it was his best performance of the season. "It was great.
"Into another final, and I'm absolutely delighted," Higgins, who ended a four-year title drought by winning the World Open in Yushan last month, said on ITV. "I've not been good enough in the past few years, so I've just got to enjoy it when I peak."
Higgins never trailed in the evening's action with breaks of 66, 73, 130 and a closing 107 securing him a merited win with Hawkins rolling in 125 and 99 in a high-quality contest.
"John looked in top form, and I thought he played great there to be fair," said Hawkins, who defeated Masters champion Shaun Murphy and world No. 1 Judd Trump in his run to the last four.
"All credit to John. He played fantastic. John is an all-time great. He is almost unstoppable when he plays like that."
FIRST SESSION REPORT
Barry Hawkins produced the highest break of the Tour Championship as a superb 140 saw him draw level with John Higgins at 4-4 in a tight semi-final duel in Manchester.
After Higgins had won two tactical opening frames, Hawkins found the scoring form that saw him defeat Masters champion Shaun Murphy and world No. 1 Judd Trump earlier in the week as breaks of 86, 79 and 97 saw him move 3-2 clear.
But four-time world champion Higgins responded with an excellent counter clearance of 62 from 52-0 behind to level at 3-3 before edging clear by the odd frame in seven by dominating the seventh frame.
Hawkins had the final say in finishing the afternoon with a run of 140 to overtake Higgins' previous high break target of 137.
"It was important to win the last frame," said Hawkins on ITV. "Nobody likes losing in the semi-finals so we will be giving it our all."
They play to a finish on Friday evening with the first man to 10 frames reaching the final on Sunday against Mark Selby or Ding Junhui, who contest the second semi-final on Saturday.
HIGGINS 9-7 HAWKINS (107-0)
Higgins slots final red he needs to end the match with another century. Has really caught fire this evening. 107 from Higgins, and he is through to the final in Manchester.
HIGGINS 9-7 HAWKINS (77-0)
Mid-range red is slipped home and in goes match ball black from John, who is heading through to Sunday's big final in Manchester. Chance to finish with a century too.
HIGGINS 9-7 HAWKINS (57-0)
This looks like a done deal for the four-time world champion. Looking for one more cannon on reds to get the balls he needs into the clear. Out come a few more reds, and this looks like frame, set and match to the great man.
HIGGINS 9-7 HAWKINS (33-0)
Looking to screw off the reds in potting the final loose red. Out comes a few more reds. Looks half decent chance here. Rams in the pink off side rail. Chance to advance to the final here and now.
HIGGINS 9-7 HAWKINS (20-0)
Poor break-off shot by Barry as he sticks up a red to left middle. Easy starter for John, who plays a brilliant positional shot to land on his next red from blue to right middle. That was a bit tasty, but the split on the pack is dead. Terrific recovery pot on a red with tough bridging to continue his forward momentum.
HIGGINS 9-6 HAWKINS (12-99)
Hawkins heading for another century it seems as we hit five hours of play. He escapes from a snooker and pots the yellow to keep alive his hopes of a ton. Much to the delight of the fans. Can't pot the blue, but 99 is quality stuff. Back to 9-7 adrift.
HIGGINS 9-6 HAWKINS (12-77)
Looks like we are heading for another frame in this semi-final. Hawkins still three short of the winning line, but showing that he is far from done out there. Break hitting 74.
HIGGINS 9-6 HAWKINS (12-38)
Barry won't give up the ghost here. And will be boosted by John missing that red to right centre. These could all have been for Higgins. The unforgiving nature of snooker. You can watch your opponent do what you intended to.
HIGGINS 9-6 HAWKINS (12-8)
But John misses a cut on a red to right middle. That was a bit tense. Tension in the cue arm. So no big finish at the moment.
HIGGINS 9-6 HAWKINS (9-4)
Higgins with a chance to push on here then after Barry goes for a long red, but is well off the potting angle. Chance then for John to piece together the winning thrust. Can he hold his nerve?
HIGGINS 9-6 HAWKINS (0-4)
Couple of early chances for Higgins in this 16th frame, but not taken. So close to a notable win for John, but he will require another solid frame to seal the win.
HIGGINS 8-6 HAWKINS (66-6)
John with the frame-ball red he requires before adding the insurance policy of the brown. Hawkins has seen enough, and it is a 9-6 lead for the four-time world champion. He is three up with a possible four frames to play.
HIGGINS 8-6 HAWKINS (54-6)
Hawkins tries to slot a long red to the green pocket, but inches off the potting angle. Sticks up the red for Higgins. Suddenly John with an opportunity to move within one frame of victory and a place in Sunday's final.
HIGGINS 8-6 HAWKINS (47-6)
John misses a red with the extended rest that you expected him to get, but Barry can't punish the error. Pressure starting to tell out there.
HIGGINS 8-6 HAWKINS (30-6)
Another stunning piece of opportunism by Higgins as he slams home a super long red. What a fabulous piece of cueing. And he is back on for blue too. Higgins really coming to the party at the right time.
HIGGINS 8-6 HAWKINS (0-0)
HIGGINS 7-6 HAWKINS (130-0)
130 total clearance from the world No. 6 and he is two frames short of the final in Manchester before a sell-out crowd.
HIGGINS 7-6 HAWKINS (112-0)
The break goes beyond three figures once again. So, so good. Technically brilliant from the great man.
HIGGINS 7-6 HAWKINS (83-0)
Time to go to work, and Higgins is rising to the occasion at the business end of this match.
HIGGINS 7-6 HAWKINS (62-0)
Higgins making some very decent progress here. Refusing to leave the table when he gets in. And suddenly on the cusp of an 8-6 lead in this semi-final. Could be another century coming up too. Looks bang in the mood.
HIGGINS 7-6 HAWKINS (33-0)
John continues to be very positive in his shot selection when the chance presents itself. Higgins drops in a mid-range black at pace and holds for the red. Stunning red down table to green bag to keep break going. Higgo right on it here.
HIGGINS 7-6 HAWKINS (0-0)
Early chance of a long red by Barry, but doesn't drop as object ball rattles the jaws of a top pocket. Tension building.
HIGGINS 7-5 HAWKINS (42-72)
Looks like Hawkins is going to halt the Higgins charge here. Gets in on the final two reds and puts away yellow, green and brown. Wins the crucial safety battle, and puts away the frame to trail only 7-6. Coming down to the wire with little between these two players.
HIGGINS 7-5 HAWKINS (42-46)
Heading down to the final two reds in this 13th frame. Hawkins holding a lead of four points. But he misses the tricky red near the pink spot. That will annoy him.
HIGGINS 7-5 HAWKINS (42-30)
Terrific long red by Barry just when he needed it. Was huge pressure on that pot, but he stroked it home with real authority.
HIGGINS 7-5 HAWKINS (42-11)
Barry trying to fight his way back into this semi-final, but doesn't come as easy when you are behind in a match. A lead of 31 points for John. Suspect this match is reaching a crucial juncture.
HIGGINS 7-5 HAWKINS (42-0)
Higgins looks very much like he is in the mood for another big effort here. 144 in the previous frame tells you how well he is playing. 250 points without reply in this purple patch of scoring. Out of position on 42 so just safety shot to follow.
HIGGINS 7-5 HAWKINS (12-0)
Another excellent pot on a red to left middle by John before he bangs home a mid-range brown. Back around the angles for a red, and he uses red to open up the reds. Very positive again from Higgins upon the restart.
HIGGINS 6-5 HAWKINS (144-0)
144 break from Higgins is the highest of the tournament. He goes beyond the 140 set by Barry earlier today. That is vintage Higgins at his very best. Came after Hawkins had passed the Higgins mark of 137. Magical from the Wishaw player.
HIGGINS 6-5 HAWKINS (121-0)
117 to the colours from John...
HIGGINS 6-5 HAWKINS (105-0)
John coming to the boil at just the right time in this semi-final. Time to stick your foot on the gas is probably about now. Which Higgins is doing.
HIGGINS 6-5 HAWKINS (86-0)
Possible 144 on table for John here. Which would be the highest break of tournament.
HIGGINS 6-5 HAWKINS (73-0)
Break reaches 53 before John is faced with a tricky red using rest. Holds nicely for black. Not too many more balls needed here to complete the one-visit hit. Excellent pot on black and red is used as a stopper for white. Bang on next red, and this could be a century coming up too from the Scot.
HIGGINS 6-5 HAWKINS (42-0)
Higgins completely dialled in on this break. Could see him move two frames ahead again for the first time since 2-0 earlier this afternoon.
HIGGINS 6-5 HAWKINS (34-0)
What a fine chance Higgins has here to crack on then. Has made this chance himself from that superb brown. Would back himself to make a few here, surely.
HIGGINS 6-5 HAWKINS (17-0)
Barry tries to nudge in a cut on a red to right centre. Misses red completely as white is drained to a top bag. Higgins then bullets in a brown. White off one cushion and into the reds. And he is on one. Superb stuff again from John.
HIGGINS 5-5 HAWKINS (111-8)
73 from Higgins gets job done every day of the week to get his nose in front at 6-5. Very, very impressive from the 'Wizard of Wishaw'.
HIGGINS 5-5 HAWKINS (69-8)
Looks like the great Scot is moving clear again then in race to 10. Another one down, four more to go. One more before the mid-sesh he woud dearly love to win.
HIGGINS 5-5 HAWKINS (52-8)
Another majestic long red is put away by John. That is so good. Chance then for Higgins to regain this nip-and-tuck lead at 6-5.
HIGGINS 5-5 HAWKINS (38-8)
Hawkins can't roll in a cut on a red as break grinds to a halt quite quickly. John back out of his seat with a mid-range red drilled home. Second chance of frame for Higgins to push on. But John rattles the jaws with a red to a top bag.
HIGGINS 5-5 HAWKINS (30-1)
Higgins has not been the most fluent scorer in this match, but he is battling so hard to keep pace with his opponent. All about winning frames. You don't get extra marks for presentation. But he misses a thin cutback on black. That could be costly.
HIGGINS 5-5 HAWKINS (22-0)
Some brilliant pots by John early in this 11th frame. Faced with a tricky pink to left middle to continue break. And he rattles it in. Super shot again.
HIGGINS 5-5 HAWKINS (8-0)
Excellent break-off shot by Barry to start the 11th frame of a possible 19th. White on baulk cushion, but a stunning long red by John. Exceptional shot.
HIGGINS 5-4 HAWKINS (0-125)
Just so, so good from Hawkins, who restores parity at 5-5. No hanging back by either man.
HIGGINS 5-4 HAWKINS (0-76)
Higgins bowed his head after red to left middle didn't drop. Probably feared the worst, and his fears are confirmed. Heading for a 498th career century.
HIGGINS 5-4 HAWKINS (0-64)
Tricky cut on a pink for Barry, but makes it look easy as object ball is dropped in. Thin cut on a red to right middle is also negotiated well. Should be 5-5 incoming. Very fluent stuff.
HIGGINS 5-4 HAWKINS (0-26)
No question about Barry's quality among the balls. Has been scoring for fun in Manchester, and another chance to make his presence felt in this frame.
HIGGINS 5-4 HAWKINS (0-7)
John going for a tough red to left middle. Was committed to the pot, but just off the potting angle. And Barry cans red with rest in response. So first visit of night for Barry then in the 10th frame.
HIGGINS 4-4 HAWKINS (66-0)
John scrambling his way to 60 before he is faced with a tricky mid-range blue to the yellow bag, but he drops it in. 65 ahead with 67 remaining. And the red is downed to leave Hawkins needing a snooker. Hawkins requires a couple of snookers, but has seen enough. A 5-4 lead for the four-time world champion.
HIGGINS 4-4 HAWKINS (48-0)
Not in complete control of the white ball at the moment, but the break continues as John reaches 47 and counting. Great control of a pot on a red to hold for blue to left middle. Not looking for much more to seal the deal here in this ninth frame.
HIGGINS 4-4 HAWKINS (39-0)
Not sure Higgins is entirely sure about the cue ball as he asks for it to be cleaned, but he bangs in a red to left middle at decent pace. Golden chance to compile a telling break at this visit.
HIGGINS 4-4 HAWKINS (16-0)
Stunning long red by John. And made to look better as he comes off two cushions before landing perfectly on the black. That will do his confidence no harm at all.
HIGGINS 4-4 HAWKINS (0-0)
Off we go then for the ninth frame of this match. Four frames to come before the mid-session interval.
WATCH: HAWKINS HIT HIGHEST BREAK OF EVENT
LATEST: HIGGINS 4-4 HAWKINS
Barry Hawkins produced the highest break of the Tour Championship as a superb 140 saw him draw level with John Higgins at 4-4 in a tight semi-final duel in Manchester.
After Higgins had won two tactical opening frames, Hawkins found the scoring form that saw him defeat Masters champion Shaun Murphy and world No. 1 Judd Trump earlier in the week as breaks of 86, 79 and 97 saw him move 3-2 clear.
But four-time world champion Higgins responded with an excellent counter clearance of 62 from 52-0 behind to level at 3-3 before edging clear by the odd frame in seven by dominating the seventh frame.
Hawkins had the final say in finishing the afternoon with a run of 140 to overtake Higgins' previous high break target of 137.
"It was important to win the last frame," said Hawkins on ITV. "Nobody likes losing in the semi-finals so we will be giving it our all."
They play to a finish on Friday evening with the first man to 10 frames reaching the final on Sunday against Mark Selby or Ding Junhui, who contest the second semi-final on Saturday.
HIGGINS 4-3 HAWKINS (0-140)
A sublime clearance of 140 from Barry, and that is the final action of the first session. 4-4 in Manchester in this semi-final duel.
HIGGINS 4-3 HAWKINS (0-105)
First century of the match is made by Barry with a possible 140 on the table if he can clear black and colours.
HIGGINS 4-3 HAWKINS (0-90)
Could be quite the night ahead in this one. Best-of-19 frame match will become a best-of-11 frame joust this evening.
HIGGINS 4-3 HAWKINS (0-60)
Possible 143 on here for Barry if he can complete the clearance. Superb shot from black to splash open the reds. Looks like the frame is a done deal.
HIGGINS 4-3 HAWKINS (0-52)
Yet to disturb the pack of reds, but nicely picking off the loose ones as blue disappears to carry break over the 50-mark.
HIGGINS 4-3 HAWKINS (0-38)
Chance for Barry to level up this semi-final at 4-4. Which would probably be about right. First to the punch in the eighth frame and heading for a healthy lead in the frame.
HIGGINS 3-3 HAWKINS (67-16)
So unlucky for Hawkins as he pots pink, but ends up knocking red into a centre bag. So 43 the difference now with a possible 43 left up. Huge moment in this match perhaps. And Higgins drops in the cross double on red for a 4-3 lead surely.
HIGGINS 3-3 HAWKINS (53-9)
Higgins with another chance to seal the frame, but misses yellow to green pocket. Which was virtually frame ball. Is there another twist in this frame?
HIGGINS 3-3 HAWKINS (52-0)
John won't be behind heading into this evening if he can win this frame. But he doesn't land on a red after heading into the pack off black. And the double on red doesn't drop. So life yet in this frame.
HIGGINS 3-3 HAWKINS (24-0)
Higgins suddenly on the move again in this match as Hawkins sticks up a red for John to get started. Another fine long red to right middle disappears. Supreme from the four-time world champion.
HIGGINS 3-3 HAWKINS (0-0)
Two more frames to come then this avo. Has the vibe of a close finale this evening the way this is working out.
HIGGINS 2-3 HAWKINS (63-52)
A 62 clearance from Higgins to the pink, and this quarter-final is all square at 3-3. That was a superb clearance from the four-time world champion. Hawkins had his chance, didn't take it and is punished.
HIGGINS 2-3 HAWKINS (52-52)
Stunning shot by John to slot pink, come off side cushion and open up the final two reds. Inspired piece of play. Down to final red then. In goes the red along top cushion. Nice angle on pink too. But he overhits the white from pink. In goes yellow to right middle from John. Excellent recovery pot. What a steal this could be.
HIGGINS 2-3 HAWKINS (23-52)
Lovely red by John to a centre pocket to gain access to the table. What has he got in the tank here? Two of three remaining reds tied up on top cushion.
HIGGINS 2-3 HAWKINS (1-52)
A plant on reds doesn't drop from Barry, but no real harm done. Hawkins also matching the Scotsman in the safety exchanges. But Higgins flukes a red playing safe before rolling up behind brown off green.
HIGGINS 2-3 HAWKINS (0-46)
Quite a potent combination with Hawkins combining some heavy scoring and delightful long potting. Looks like a 4-2 lead could be on the cards here as Barry finds the form that did for Murphy and Trump earlier this week. Another assured long red is put away.
HIGGINS 2-3 HAWKINS (0-36)
For once, Barry loses position before being forced to run safe. Higgins has not potted a ball in 43 minutes. Which will not unduly trouble him.
HIGGINS 2-3 HAWKINS (0-28)
A poor break-off shot by Higgins, and Hawkins responds by canning another fine long red. All Hawkins at the moment. Higgins being frozen out with Hawkins in the zone. Blue down table to yellow bag is made to look easy. 300 points without reply in this match.
HIGGINS 2-2 HAWKINS (0-97)
Final red doesn't drop with the rest, but a break of 97 is his third successive frame-winning clearance. Making some moves early on to lead 3-2 from 2-0 behind.
HIGGINS 2-2 HAWKINS (0-73)
Hawkins really getting to grips with the pace of a table and is surely heading for a 3-2 lead here. 254 points without response so far.
HIGGINS 2-2 HAWKINS (0-41)
Hawkins with an excellent pot on a red with the rest to continue this contribution. Looks to be growing in confidence out there. Certainly looking like the heavier scorer whenever he visits the table.
HIGGINS 2-2 HAWKINS (0-15)
Nice red from Barry down table to green bag. Drops in a cutback red to land on blue. Chance then for Barry to press again here.
HIGGINS 2-2 HAWKINS (0-0)
Higgins with a highest break of only 35 in this match. Which he'll need to improve upon to win this semi-final.
HIGGINS 2-1 HAWKINS (0-79)
Heading for 2-2 at the break. 180 points without reply. A 79 break from Hawkins. Back level. Four more frames to come this afternoon.
HIGGINS 2-1 HAWKINS (0-55)
This is superb from Barry. Really is. Not taking a backward step. Reds all there for the taking now. Could be a century on the cards. A mixture of cannons and close control with white doing the damage.
HIGGINS 2-1 HAWKINS (0-33)
Hawkins certainly looks the more fluent player out there so far today. Releases a few more reds after canning a red before rolling in blue to green bag. Very nicely worked out this break.
HIGGINS 2-1 HAWKINS (0-7)
A few issues with the cue ball and too much spin. Which has been dealt with as Hawkins drops in a superb long red.
HIGGINS 2-0 HAWKINS (13-115)
A fine clearance of 86 from Hawkins and he is back to 2-1 behind. One more frame to come before the mid-session break.
HIGGINS 2-0 HAWKINS (13-77)
Barry seeing out this third frame with some ease. Which will make him feel better about his lot.
HIGGINS 2-0 HAWKINS (13-45)
Hawkins with an excellent safety shot after making 11 this time. Can't get the reds open as the struggle to do some heavy hitting continues. Higgins hits a red, but Hawkins drops in a red along top cush before black is canned. Real chance then for Barry to put his first frame of the day on the board.
HIGGINS 2-0 HAWKINS (13-18)
Barry not punished as Higgins loses the white in trying to land on black. Just safety to follow from John, who is clearly not up to speed with speed of this table.
HIGGINS 2-0 HAWKINS (0-14)
But he misses a sitter of a red with the rest. That is a remarkable miss. Wasn't missing those against Murphy or Trump.
HIGGINS 2-0 HAWKINS (0-14)
10 centuries between these two players so far this week. Higgins tries to drop in a tricky long red, but fails in his mission as Hawkins is left a red to right top pocket. Which he pokes home from side cush. Hawkins looking to piece together some points.
HIGGINS 1-0 HAWKINS (72-18)
Neither player fully engaged with the scoring side of this match, 35 from Higgins the highest contribution so far, but the outstanding safety game of the Scot is holding sway.
HIGGINS 1-0 HAWKINS (56-18)
This frame resembling the opener with Higgins holding the upper hand with three reds left on deck, but doing his work in bits and pieces. Safety has been excellent from John so far.
HIGGINS 1-0 HAWKINS (41-18)
Five reds all out in the open for whoever gets the next chance. Higgins with upper hand as he leaves Hawkins tight behind the black. Barry short of pace off top cushion to reds. Opportunity for Higgins to take the second frame as red to left centre is drained.
HIGGINS 1-0 HAWKINS (35-18)
Only 18 in response from Barry. Which is not going to unduly trouble the Higgins mindset. But a decent safety from Barry to finish.
HIGGINS 1-0 HAWKINS (35-8)
Well, John misses a black off the spot. Didn't see that coming as Barry is gifted an opportunity to score that he didn't see coming. Higgins left to rue an unforced error.
HIGGINS 1-0 HAWKINS (34-0)
Excellent pot on a red to a top pocket by John to continue break before green is dropped in. The Wishaw man looking to make a fast start to this semi-final.
HIGGINS 1-0 HAWKINS (7-0)
Higgins with first go at the balls in the second frame after despatching a super red to left middle with Barry just failing to pop home a red to right centre. John quickly gaining access to the black spot too. Which is all good news.
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (67-1)
Not a vintage frame, but one which is dominated by Higgins and he leads 1-0 in the race to 10.
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (56-1)
Far from plain sailing though as he drops in a blue to right middle, but gets an untimely kiss on green. What is the plan from here? And the red is dropped in with rest. But out of position on next colour. And he opts to drops yellow safe. Yellow, brown and black all tied up now. Hawkins with a safety error, and that will be the end of frame.
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (43-1)
Cracking red by Higgins to drop in the mid-range object ball before coming back out for the yellow. Very smooth piece of cueing. Can John get frame won at the second bite?
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (39-1)
So a break of 35 from Higgins before he loses the white in canning a red along the top cush. Looks a bit annoyed with that outcome. Just safety behind yellow to follow.
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (25-1)
Higgins looks to be in very fine fettle indeed. Was excellent in his 10-3 win over Xiao Guodong in the semi-finals, and looks to be laying down an early marker here.
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (12-1)
Containing shot by Hawkins to leave a white near a side cushion, but sticks up a red for John, who rolls in the mid-range red before dropping in a fine cut on pink. Chance then for John to get to work here.
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (4-1)
Early safety battle in progress with the black out of commission. Lovely shot by Higgins to get white down to baulk cushion beyond the green. Reds now wide open.
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (4-1)
Fine long red by Barry early on, but collides with the black and knocks black onto a side rail. Which is not what either player would want.
HIGGINS 0-0 HAWKINS (0-0)
Off we go then with the first frame of eight this afternoon. Full house inside the arena. Hawkins breaks off this best-of-19 frame semi-final.
HIGGINS ENDS TITLE DROUGHT AT WORLD OPEN
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‘The drought is over’ – Higgins seals World Open title with classy century
Video credit: TNT Sports
WELCOME BACK TO THE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Four-time world champion John Higgins and Barry Hawkins do battle for a spot in the final on Sunday.
First player to 10 frames reaches the final in the chase for the £150,000 first prize. Eight frames to come this afternoon before they play to a finish on Friday night.
Higgins won the World Open in Yushan last month, but Hawkins is a man in form with victories over Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump this week.
Saturday's second semi-final will see Mark Selby take on Ding Junhui, but first up is Higgins v Hawkins from 1pm.
Stream top snooker action live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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