Snooker: Higgins expects a couple of riveting semi-final clashes

Published on Thursday 30 April 2009 09:42

JOHN HIGGINS predicted both semi-finals of the Betfred.com World Championship would be classic matches after knocking out Mark Selby in a final-frame thriller.

The last-four matches were set to get under way this afternoon, with Higgins taking on 23-year-old Northern Irish cueman Mark Allen.

Higgins came from behind to stun Selby in the quarter-finals last night, completing his 13-12 victory with a break of 75 in the final frame, which began with two re-racks.

But he knows left-hander Allen, the man who knocked out Ronnie O'Sullivan in the second round, will be a tough opponent.

"He's a breath of fresh air for the game and for this tournament," Higgins said.

"He's got that bit about him to do well under the cosh.

"There's four of us left, we all think we've got a good chance, and there should be two great semi-finals."

Reflecting on his win over Selby, Higgins added: "That was probably my best win ever.

"That's how highly I regard Mark and that's how highly I regard his performance.

"We were sitting there at the two re-racks and he said, 'Can we just call it a draw because there shouldn't be a loser in this match?'."

Higgins will be back in action this afternoon, while the other semi-final between Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson begins this evening.

Meanwhile Allen paid tribute to coach Terry Griffiths for guiding him into the semi-finals. The 23-year-old from Antrim came to Sheffield with his place in the world's top 16 in doubt, but he could now be about to gatecrash the top eight and return home with the sport's biggest prize in his luggage.

Griffiths, the 1979 world champion, has played a key role in Allen's stunning run, which continued with a 13-11 win against Wales' Ryan Day yesterday.

Allen said: "Terry has got the experience of playing in all the big tournaments and dealing with the pressure.

"He doesn't really deal with any technical issues, but he knows what to say and when to say it to help me to relax."

The final could be a contest between two left-handers, after Australian Robertson also secured a place in the last four.

Robertson beat world number two Stephen Maguire 13-8, to set up a clash with Murphy.

Robertson said: "My long game was absolutely fantastic and I think it must have killed him. This is a great moment for me."

Murphy shattered Stephen Hendry's hopes of an eighth world title, and a first since 1999, by completing a 13-11 victory.

Hendry was celebrating a 147 maximum break on Tuesday lunchtime but barely 24 hours later, after Murphy hit back from 5-2 down, he was out.

Hendry said: "Ever since I made the maximum my concentration was nowhere."

Murphy added: "Stephen threw everything at me in the first session, including the kitchen sink. The problem for Stephen was I picked it up and threw it back."