John Higgins and Judd Trump set up a semi-final date at the Masters

Higgins - who is making a record-extending 32nd Masters appearance at this year's event - ousted reigning world champion Zhao Xintong in a thriller on the final black ball in the deciding frame.

China's Zhao began the content well with an effort of 89 in the opening frame, but four-time world champion Higgins responded in style with a break of 114 in the next to level up.

The pattern repeated for the next two frames, with Zhao edging back in front before Higgins restored parity going into the mid-session interval following the help of a 64.

On resumption, once again, it was the current Crucible king who nudged ahead (74 break), only to be pegged back by the Scot for a third time.

For the first time in the contest, though, Zhao - who was aiming to complete a 'Career Triple Crown' with a maiden Masters title - put daylight between himself and his opponent at 5-3 up, after taking two consecutive tight frames.

However, Higgins was not done. He secured a scrappy ninth frame, and then capitalised on a huge slice of good fortune in frame ten - fluking a red and obtaining perfect position after missing a long-distance plant.

In a topsy-turvy decider, Higgins got in first with a 34 before missing a red to corner. Zhao looked cool as he produced a brilliant counter of 53, although he was unable to get ideal position on the final red located near the baulk cushion, and elected to lay a snooker.

Higgins successfully got out of the snooker, and when Zhao missed a very risky pot into the green pocket, the 33-time ranking event champion fashioned a signature clearance to and including the black to record a 6-5 victory.

The second and last of Higgins' Masters crowns came two decades ago in 2006 when he pipped Ronnie O'Sullivan, 10-9, in the final at the Wembley Conference Centre after conjuring up one of the all-time great counter clearances.

Since professional snooker's most prestigious invitational event moved to the Ally Pally in 2012, Higgins - for his impeccable standards - has a disappointing record at the venue in not reaching a final there. (Although, he was runner-up in 2021 when the tournament was held behind-closed-doors in Milton Keynes due to Covid-19)

His latest semi-final outing will be his third on top of Muswell Hill after runs in 2012 and 2018.

The evening session was a tale of two halves as world number one Trump strung together the final four frames to defeat Mark Allen, 6-2.

The opening mini-session was a lengthy affair with honours even at the interval. Former world number one Allen registered runs of 69 and 76 in frames one and four respectively, either of side of Trump taking frames two and three.

After the break, 2018 champion Allen was on the cusp of moving 3-2 ahead before missing a relatively straightforward frame-ball red. From this point, the contest turned.

Trump dished up the three remaining reds for a counter clearance of 50 before further contributions of 70 and 68 put him into the semi-finals here for the fourth time from his last five visits.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 Masters, visit here.