John Higgins was beaten by Kyren Wilson in the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship. One round later, Wilson was doing Higgins a huge favour as his victory over David Gilbert extended the Scot’s run in the world’s top 16 by another year. Stream top snooker action, including the 2024 World Championship, live and on-demand on Eurosport and discovery+
John Higgins may have been an interested spectator as Kyren Wilson booked his place in the World Championship final, as the result secured the Scot’s place in the world’s top 16.
After a poor season, Higgins arrived at the Crucible with his place in the elite top 16 in jeopardy.
After victory over Jamie Jones in round one, Higgins took on Mark Allen – the new world No. 1 – knowing only a win would keep his hopes of starting next season in the top 16 alive.
Higgins secured a stunning 13-12 win, wrapping up the victory with a clearance of 71 in the final frame, and it looked set to guarantee his spot in the top 16.
However, with a string of qualifiers advancing deep into the tournament his place came under threat again – more so when he was hammered 13-8 by Wilson in the quarter finals.
After his exit, Higgins was 15th on the live rankings – but either Stuart Bingham or Jak Jones were guaranteed to pass him with victory in their semi-final.
That left him on the bubble – and the shadow of Gilbert loomed large.
A win for Gilbert in the semi-finals would have taken him above Higgins but Wilson did the four-time Crucible champion a huge favour with a 17-11 victory on Saturday – to guarantee the 48-year-old’s unbroken run in the top 16 continued dating back to 1995.
Higgins can now breathe a sigh of relief, and he can now look forward to the 2024/25 season with renewed vigour.
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Stream top snooker action, including the 2024 World Championship, live and on-demand on Eurosport and discovery+
