Vintage display sees John Higgins reach Masters last eight

Updated 13/01/2016 at 22:18 GMT

John Higgins continued to revisit some of his very best form with a 6-4 win over Liang Wenbo in the first round of the Masters at London's Alexandra Palace.

John Higgins was a happy man after winning at the Masters.

Image credit: Reuters

The Scotsman - world champion in 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011 - managed to finally oust last month's losing UK Championship finalist after China's Liang missed a tricky green along the baulk cushion as Higgins mopped up to secure a meeting with world champion Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals on Friday.

"The table was beautiful," said Higgins. "It was playing really good. Liang played great, and potted some unbelievable balls. He's going to be a big danger for the rest of the season."

Higgins opened with a break of 119 only for Liang to respond with an 88 on his way to moving 2-1 clear.

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Higgins restored parity with a 104, breaking down on the penultimate red with a wayward positional shot after a 147 seemed likelier.

A 75 helped Higgins move 3-2 clear only for Liang to make 61 to again level at 3-3.

Higgins contributed 133 for a 4-3 lead and finally scrambled over the line with 85 and 53 knocks after Liang had won the eighth frame despite his opponent's seemingly relentless scoring.

John Higgins sizes up a pot at the Alexandra Palace.

Image credit: Reuters

Higgins has already won two ranking tournaments this season at the Australian Open in July and the International Championship in October. It is difficult to believe he went two-and-a-half years without lifting a ranking trophy before claiming the Welsh Open 11 months ago. At the age of 40, he is chasing a third Masters title in London.

"It's just the way it (the season) has went really," he said. "I won the Australian and that gave me a bit of confidence.

If I play like that, I have a chance against anybody.

"I'm totally happy with that."

Results/schedule

First round (best of 11 frames)

Sunday January 10

Shaun Murphy 4-6 Mark Allen

Stuart Bingham 6-4 Ding Junhui

Monday January 11

Judd Trump 6-4 Stephen Maguire

Barry Hawkins 6-3 Joe Perry

Tuesday January 12

Afternoon session (1pm)

Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-5 Mark Williams

Evening session (7pm)

Mark Selby 6-0 Rick Walden

Wednesday January 13

Afternoon session (1pm)

John Higgins 6-4 Liang Wenbo

Evening session (7pm)

Neil Robertson 6-0 Marco Fu

Thursday, January 14

Quarter-finals (best of 11 frames)

Afternoon session (1pm)

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Mark Selby

Evening session (7pm)

Mark Allen v Barry Hawkins

Friday, January 15

Afternoon session (1pm)

Judd Trump v Neil Robertson

Evening session (7pm)

Stuart Bingham v John Higgins

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