John Higgins produced a superb fightback to defeat old rival Mark Williams 6-5 and secure his place in the quarter-finals of the International Championship in Nanjing.

The two snooker legends contested another memorable chapter in one of the sport’s longest-running rivalries, with Higgins coming out on top in their 45th meeting on the professional circuit. The victory moves the Scot 24-21 ahead in their head-to-head record.

Williams made the stronger start, establishing a 3-1 advantage at the mid-session interval. However, Higgins responded impressively after the restart, compiling breaks of 52, 53 and 60 to turn the match around.

The four-time World Champion then moved within one frame of victory at 5-3, taking the eighth frame on the black. Williams refused to surrender, producing breaks of 66 and 76 to force a deciding frame.

Despite the Welshman’s late resistance, Higgins held his nerve in the decider to complete a hard-fought 6-5 victory.

The result represents Higgins’ first ranking quarter-final appearance of the season, following a difficult opening to the campaign that included two first-round exits.

The 51-year-old will be hoping this victory can provide the platform for a return to form at an event where he reached the final 12 months ago, eventually losing to the now World Champion Wu Yize.

Speaking after the match, Higgins was delighted with the result and praised Williams for his continued competitiveness.

“It is a great win for me. I was 3-1 down at the interval and didn’t really do a lot wrong. I came back at him after the interval, but he showed how good he is at 5-3. He is such a great competitor. It is a brilliant win,” said Higgins.

Reflecting on their long-standing rivalry, he added:

“We’ve been about for so long and are playing to a good standard into our 50s. It is unheard of really to be doing that. Listen, I keep on saying it but it is great to still be playing out there against these guys.

“These matches are what defines you as a player. I will be proud to look back on all of these matches against the great champions.”

Higgins also highlighted the challenge of winning the International Championship, explaining that the tournament’s format makes it one of the toughest events on the calendar.

“I got to the final here last year and for me this is the second-hardest tournament to win. It is all best of 11s and if you do get to the semis they are best of 17. I got to the final last year, I am in the quarters here. It would be great to go one better.”

His next challenge will be against Marco Fu, who also came through a deciding-frame encounter, defeating Chinese teenager Wang Xinbo 6-5 to book his place in the last eight.

Ding Delights Home Crowd as Quarter-Final Line-Up Takes Shape

There was further drama elsewhere in Nanjing as Chinese favourite Ding Junhui secured a dramatic 6-5 victory over Scotland’s Stephen Maguire.

Ding punched the table in delight after potting the final pink to complete the win, keeping his hopes of securing automatic qualification for the UK Championship alive.

He will face Kyren Wilson in the quarter-finals after the Englishman edged past Oliver Lines by the same 6-5 scoreline. Wilson also came close to a maximum break, but missed the 12th black during his attempt in the sixth frame.

World number one Zhao Xintong continued his progress with a convincing 6-3 victory over Ireland’s Aaron Hill. He will now meet Chang Bingyu, who comfortably defeated Yuan Sijun 6-2, producing three century breaks in an impressive performance.

The remaining quarter-final tie will see Fan Zhengyi take on Iran’s Hossein Vafaei.

Fan overcame Welshman Liam Davies 6-4, while Vafaei booked his place in the last eight with a 6-3 victory against Si Jiahui.

LAST 16 RESULTS | INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Marco Fu 6-5 Wang Xinbo

Ding Junhui 6-5 Stephen Maguire

John Higgins 6-5 Mark Williams

Kyren Wilson 6-5 Oliver Lines

Zhao Xintong 6-3 Aaron Hill

Chang Bingyu 6-2 Yuan Sijun

Fan Zhengyi 6-4 Liam Davies

Hossein Vafaei 6-3 Si Jiahui

With the last eight now confirmed, attention turns to the quarter-finals as the remaining contenders continue their pursuit of the International Championship title in Nanjing.