Higgins Completes Another Stunning Comeback to Reach 2026 Crucible Semi-Finals
Back at the Single Table: Higgins Defeats Robertson 13-10
John Higgins has secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Snooker Championship, defeating Neil Robertson 13-10 in the quarter-finals on Wednesday at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The result marks Higgins' first appearance at the famous single-table setup since 2022, and it arrives on the back of two consecutive comeback victories that have underlined just how formidable the four-time world champion remains at 51 years of age.
Trailing 9-6 going into the final session against Robertson, Higgins won seven of the remaining eight frames to close out a result that continues a remarkable pattern in this year's campaign. In the previous round, the Scot overturned a 9-4 deficit against Ronnie O'Sullivan — a deficit that would have ended the tournament for most players — winning that last-16 tie in a deciding frame. Back-to-back comebacks against two of the sport's all-time greats is a statistical improbability that few players in the modern era could claim.
A Mentality Shift That Has Changed Everything
Speaking to the World Snooker Tour after sealing his place in the last four, Higgins was candid about the personal transformation that has underpinned his resurgence. "I definitely think that there has been a mentality shift in the last two years. Now I come to events and don't get too down on myself," he said. "I think I'm a different person now when coming to events. Obviously, you hope to play well, but if you don't, you don't."
That shift in outlook carries weight when considered alongside the context of recent seasons. Two years ago, Higgins was openly reflecting on his future in professional snooker during what he described as a difficult personal and professional period. The turnaround since then has been considerable. Last season he captured the World Open title before following it up with victory at the Tour Championship — two ranking event wins that reconfirmed his place among the sport's elite. This season has been characterised more by consistency than silverware, with three final defeats across the campaign, yet his form at the Crucible suggests that the biggest stage continues to bring out the best in him.
"I'm so proud to beat an unbelievable champion in Neil over three tough sessions. What a win for me. I'm loving it," Higgins told World Snooker Tour. "I thought last year I was close with Mark Williams, and when I clicked on the TV a couple of times, I thought that would be special to be at that one-table setup again. You think you might not get back there. But I'm back."
Murphy Awaits — A Repeat of the 2009 Final
Higgins' semi-final opponent will be Shaun Murphy, who reached the last four with a victory over Zhao Xintong. The fixture is a repeat of the 2009 World Championship final, a match Higgins won to claim his third world title. Murphy, never a player to be underestimated at the Crucible — he won the title as a qualifier in 2005 — arrives in strong form and will represent a substantial test across the best-of-33-frame format.
Higgins made no attempt to downplay his enthusiasm for the occasion. "I cannot wait to get out and play Shaun in that one-table theatre. I see they are just building it all up again," he said, referencing the physical reconfiguration of the Crucible that accompanies the switch to single-table play for the semi-finals and final.
Historical Context: Higgins at the Crucible
For perspective on Higgins' longevity at snooker's most prestigious venue, his record at the Crucible is among the finest in the sport's history. His four world titles came in 1998, 2009, 2010, and 2022 — the most recent of which made him the oldest world champion in the modern era at the time. According to data from CueTracker, Higgins has now appeared in the Crucible semi-finals on multiple occasions spanning four decades of professional competition, a feat that underscores his enduring quality on the sport's grandest stage. A fifth world title, should he claim it, would equal Ronnie O'Sullivan's tally and place him joint-second on the all-time list alongside O'Sullivan and Ray Reardon, behind only Stephen Hendry's record seven.
The semi-final between Higgins and Murphy is scheduled to begin on Thursday. Whether Higgins can maintain his remarkable habit of recovering from adversity across a gruelling 33-frame encounter remains to be seen, but there is mounting evidence that the Wizard of Wishaw is operating with a clarity of purpose that belies the doubts of just a few seasons ago.
