Higgins holds out despite late surge by Davis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.John Higgins saw off a brave challenge from the six-times winner Steve Davis to prevail 13-11 in a gripping World Championship second-round match here in Sheffield last night.
Resuming at 10-6 after the morning session, Davis refused to accept defeat and immediately reduced the deficit to 10-8 after some uncharacteristic misses from Higgins.
But the Scot hit back with breaks of 61 and 69 to lead 11-9. He then moved within a frame of victory when Davis missed a straightforward red, but the 42-year-old promptly took the next two frames with clearances of 71 and 73 to reduce Higgins' lead to just 12-11.
A break of 45 put Higgins in control of the next frame and when David missed a red to centre, the world No 2 duly completed victory.
Higgins paid tribute to Davis, saying: "I thought Steve played superbly. He frightened me and I wouldn't have liked to play him in the Eighties."
Anthony Hamilton secured a place in the quarter-finals for the first time after a dramatic 13-12 win over Ken Doherty.
Doherty, the 1997 champion and seeded seventh this year, was trailing 9-7 overnight and won a scrappy opening frame 58-44 before a double kiss on the brown cost him the chance of victory in the next frame which Hamilton won 81-56 to lead 10-8.
A break of 79 won Hamilton the 19th frame, but Doherty won two closely-fought rubbers to leave himself 11-10 behind. The Irishman then levelled the match and kept his cool to edge ahead 12-11.
The game had been so keenly contested that a deciding frame was inevitable and Hamilton obliged by winning the next. He then held his nerve to win the final frame with a carefully-crafted break of 66.
Joe Swail sealed a remarkable victory over John Parrott, the No 5 seed, when he came from 12-8 behind to win the final five frames and reach the quarter-finals.
The 30-year-old Ulsterman compiled one of the great Crucible comebacks with an exhibition of crisp potting to set up a meeting with Dominic Dale.
Matthew Stevens booked his place in the last eight after a 13-4 victory over Alan McManus. The Welshman needed just one more frame from last night's final session and duly obliged to set up a meeting with Jimmy White.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments