On a late night of drama at the World Snooker Championship, John Higgins and Stuart Bingham booked their places in the quarter-finals thanks to epic victories.
The Wizard of Wishaw edged out Mark Allen 13-12 in a stunning clash, while Bingham beat Jack Lisowski 13-11.
Higgins produced an unforgettable Crucible few minutes as he came from 62 behind in the deciding frame with Allen to pip him on the final black.
The first shot of that brilliant 71 clearance was a brave reverse double which put him perfectly on the black and he did all the work from there.
The four-time world champion held his arms aloft to the Sheffield crowd after sinking the final black as great relief and delight poured out.
The Wizard of Wishaw has lost a number of big, tight games in recent years, and he felt that he produced his best ever clearance given what he has experienced.
‘Probably the best,’ Higgins said of the stunning dish. ‘When you think of the things I’ve been through the last couple of years. To do that under the biggest pressure. I actually felt great.
‘I think I’ve still got it. I gave myself a chance when I came down here with a new cue. Although I missed a few, I wanted to go for my shots because I fancied going for them. That’s what you’ve got to do in the bear pit.’
A gracious Allen shook hands and embraced the winner, saying after the game: ‘It had a bit of everything. Some good stuff in there and some not so good stuff. Credit to John, he does what John does and cleared up in the deciding frame. Only myself to blame, I had plenty of chances and I didn’t take them.’
Higgins now takes on Kyren Wilson in the quarter-finals, starting at 2.30pm on Tuesday.
On that task, Higgins said: ‘I feel totally calm right now. I had a wee bubble in the dressing room for two minutes. I’m an emotional guy, you’ve got to let it out. But I’m calm. I’m thinking a good night’s sleep and get ready for tomorrow.
Stuart Bingham did not need to go to a deciding frame, but it was still an epic as he downed Jack Lisowski 13-11 in the second round.
The game was level at 11-11 when Lisowski looked certain to be going ahead with a break of 67 but Bingham somehow battled back to pinch the frame.
Lisowski had looked on a roll as he made breaks of 84 and 123 before that effort of 67, but it was a heartbreaking 23rd frame to lose.
Ballrun then dominated the final frame to book a clash with Ronnie O’Sullivan in the last eight.
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