John Higgins denies world number 89 Zak Surety in epic finish to reach World Open snooker final

The opening semi-final of the £825,000 ranking event at the Yushan Sports Centre was dramatic, as Scottish legend Higgins denied world number 89 Surety a fairytale final appearance. Victory for Higgins puts him into the 57th ranking event final of his illustrious career.

Underdog Surety - who prior to this week had never been past the last 16 of a professional event before - settled down in his maiden semi-final outing as he led 3-1 at the mid-session interval.

On resumption, breaks of 113 and 94 helped Higgins level up at 3-3, but Surety stayed resolute as he edged back in front with frame seven, before taking a close eighth frame to go 5-3 ahead and on the cusp of booking a sensational final berth.

That dream was looking like a reality for Surety as he led by 54 points in frame ten, although he was punished for not crossing the line as Higgins conjured up a trademark counter clearance of 72 to and including the final pink to keep the match alive. Surety got in early in the next frame too but was unable to produce much as 31-time ranking event winner Higgins forced a deciding frame.

Under extreme pressure, Surety remained positive in the final frame as he took an early advantage, however, he missed a red to a corner pocket whilst on a break of 41. Higgins came to the table but immediately missed a red into a middle pocket, although Surety did exactly the same with his next shot.

With his second bite of the cherry, Higgins made no mistakes, as he coolly crafted a decisive 72 to squeeze through to Saturday's final where he will meet the winner of the second semi-final between Joe O'Connor and Ali Carter for the £175,000 first prize.

It is exactly four years to the day that Higgins won his last ranking event title at the 2021 Players Championship where he memorably brushed aside Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-3 in the final. It will be Higgins' first professional final on Chinese soil since the 2018 China Championship; his last title in the country was at the 2016 China Championship.

Earlier this season Higgins fell outside of the world's top 16 for the first time in over 29 years, but went back into the sport's elite bracket the following week after a run to the final of the British Open.

Surety - who made a maximum 147 break here last year - will be feeling very sore having been so close to making the title match in the Far East, but it has been a huge breakthrough week for the 33-year-old Englishman who collects £33,000 for his efforts, which is over treble his previous highest payday on the professional snooker circuit.

For results from the 2025 World Open, please visit our tournament information centre here.