How John Higgins bridged astonishing 46-year Crucible generation gap with latest British Open run

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John Higgins is bidding to overtake Ray Reardon as the oldest winner of a major ranking event after finding peak form in a 5-2 win over Louis Heathcote in the British Open quarter-finals on Friday night. The Scotsman is also chasing a remarkable fifth title at the competition at the age of 50 – 30 years after his maiden success that saw him defeat four world champions in his run to the title.

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John Higgins beat world champion Zhao Xintong during his run to a record 89th ranking event semi-final at the British Open in Cheltenham, but the Scotsman is used to overcoming Crucible winners over the past four decades.

The world No. 6 produced his best form of the week to recover from 2-0 behind against Louis Heathcote in the quarter-finals on Friday night, running in 86, 74, 66, 52, 135 and 50 to secure a semi-final with compatriot and close friend Anthony McGill on Saturday afternoon at The Centaur.

Higgins is chasing a third ranking triumph in the past six months after winning the World Open and Tour Championship and will also become the oldest major champion in history at the age of 50 if he lands the £100,000 winner's cheque on Sunday night.

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The man dubbed the 'Wizard of Wishaw' is incredibly bidding for a record fifth British Open title to go with previous successes at the event in 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004.

His maiden victory at the competition in Plymouth 30 years ago saw him overcome 1979 world champion Terry Griffiths 5-1 in the first round, meaning he has bridged an incredible 46-year Crucible generation gap of the game's greatest players with his 4-2 victory over Zhao in the last 32.

He would later overcome six-time Crucible winner Steve Davis (5-2) in the quarter-finals, 1991 winner John Parrott (6-2) in the last four and "Class of '92" rival Ronnie O'Sullivan (9-6) in the '95 final.

John Higgins in 1995.

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The four-time world champion defeated O'Sullivan's fellow seven-time Crucible winner Stephen Hendry 9-8 in the 1998 final before completing 9-6 wins over 2006 world champion Graeme Dott in 2001 and Stephen Maguire three years later.

Higgins enjoyed a run to the last eight of the Wuhan Open last month, losing 5-3 to Gary Wilson, despite struggling with his motivation levels that saw him sit out last week's English Open.

"I hit the ball better, that's probably the best I have felt this season," said Higgins, who has been supported by wife Denise in Cheltenham.

"I came over to the practice table today trying to find something because I wasn't happy with the way I was hitting the ball, I felt I was bashing it.

"I tried a few little things and changed something technical, hopefully it works. Louis will be disappointed, he had chances to make it 3-1. After that I played well.

"It has been an enjoyable week. Denise has come down so it has been great to have company.

"It can be soul-destroying at some events because you are basically on your own in your room a lot of the time.

"I'm not sure if she will be able to come to all of them."

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Higgins could become the first professional to win a ranking title in every decade he has been playing the game.

To put this into perspective, McGill was only three when Higgins lifted his first title at the Grand Prix in October 1994 with a 9-6 win over Dave Harold in Derby.

"I'm looking forward to playing Anthony," he said.

"I am delighted to see him in a semi-final and he's pushing onwards again.

"It will be a great game, I will be trying my hardest, but if I lose to him then he'll be in a big final and that would get his confidence back up.

"He's a great boy."