News from the 4th Indian Open in Vishakhapatnam

John Higgins faced off against Zhao Xintong, with a final score of 4–3 in an exciting encounter, and so booked his place in the Indian Open’s last 32. 

Higgins, MBE, was born on the 18th of May 1975, and is a professional snooker play hailing from Scotland. He started his professional career in 1992, and, since then, has gone on to win a total of 28 ranking titles, four of which are World Championships, and three UK Championships. He also has two Masters Titles to his name – all of which make him one of the sport’s most successful players in modern history.

Zhao Xintong was born on the 3rd of April 1997, in Xi’an, and this Chinese professional snooker player is widely held to be one of the most promising up and coming snooker talents in the world.

The last time Higgins and Xintong met up was when qualifying for the 2016 German Masters, and that time Xintong emerged the winner, with a final score of 5 – 1, which punters interested in snooker took full advantage of at the online betting NZ sites that provide markets for these fascinating games.

A Tight Game at the Indian Open

The game was a lot tighter this time around, with the four opening frames being completed rapidly, with Xintong moving two frames ahead thanks to breaks of 73 and then 78. Higgins responded more than adequately, however, and his runs of 77 and 78 restored the parity to 2 – 2.

Higgins Needed a Snooker in the Fifth

The Scotsman required a snooker, after he started trailing 63 – 1 in the fifth, but he managed to get it, and took the frame to move one from winning at 3 – 2. Xintong then forced the decider, but Higgins stepped up with a fine break, 87, and secured his win after the engrossing match had come to an end. It was clear that not having a home ground advantage here made no difference, and Higgins seemed comfortable in reclaiming his top spot.

Higgins Praises Xintong’s Snooker Abilities

Higgins stated that Xintong’s snooker talent was undeniable, and that he enjoyed watching him play. He added that the 5 – 1 defeat that he had undergone last year, in only 55 minutes, was devastating, and that he was afraid at one point that it might happen again!

He explained that he had been playing long enough to know that if spectators thought the draw was opening up, it generally wasn’t, and you need to go out totally prepared, so that if any chance does become available you are able to seize it.

McGill Continues to Defend His Title

Anthony McGill has carried on with his defence of this title thanks to a defeat of 4 – 1 in a game against Ashley Hugill.

McGill also beat India’s number one player, Aditya Mehta, 4 – 0 yesterday, and looked completely relaxed in the match against Hugill. His high break? A run of 98 in the game’s second frame.

Murphy Whitewashed Miah 4 – 0

Shaun Murphy managed to overcome Hammad Miah, with a whitewash of 4 – 0, and so progressed to the last 32.

The Magician is on a good run, winning 14 of the last 16 matches he has played, and wasted no time in defeating Miah, taking just over an hour to do so.