John Higgins holds a slender 13-11 lead over Shaun Murphy as they head into the final session of their World Championship semi-final at the Crucible Theatre.
The four-time champion, who turns 51 later this month, had not led at the end of a session throughout the tournament but now finds himself in front as he aims to reach a record-equalling ninth final in Sheffield.
Higgins Ends Strongly After Murphy Resurgence
Resuming at 8-8, Murphy initially took the lead on Friday evening with a break of 60, his first lead since the seventh frame.
Higgins responded with runs of 44 and 55 and then won the following frame after laying a snooker on the brown.
Murphy managed an 82 break to ensure the players remained level at the mid-session interval.
The duo traded frames, with Higgins constructing a 63 and Murphy responding with a century from the Scot’s break-off shot.
Higgins then found an extra gear, crafting a run of 70 and then finishing the evening with a 101.
Praise for Higgins’ Late-Match Performance
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry said Higgins has improved as each match has gone on in the championship, playing his best snooker near the end of the match.
Hendry added that Higgins knows when the business end of these games are and finds gears.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Joe Perry said that was the best John Higgins has looked in this semi-final.
Perry noted Higgins’ breaks of 63, 70 and a century since the interval, calling it clinical, one-frame snooker.
Final Session Details
The concluding chapter of their best-of-33 encounter will begin on Saturday at 14:30 BST.
The winner will play either Wu Yize or Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen in the final.