German Masters snooker: John Higgins, Mark Williams and Ken Doherty book trip to Berlin with qualifying wins

ByEurosport

Updated 19/12/2023 at 08:49 GMT

Former world champions John Higgins, Mark Williams and Ken Doherty booked their places at the German Masters in Berlin next month with qualifying wins in Sheffield on Monday. European Masters champion Barry Hawkins is also through, while Crucible semi-finalist Si Jiahui produced a stunning recovery to advance. Stream top snooker action live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

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John Higgins recovered from the disappointment of his Scottish Open semi-final defeat to Noppon Saengkham to book a trip to the German Masters with a battling 5-3 qualifying win over Daniel Wells in Sheffield.

The four-time world champion produced a trademark double on a red to set up the victory over Wells leading 20-0, before compiling a fine 44 in a tough matchplay encounter that saw Higgins top score with a relatively modest knock of 50 in the sixth frame.

The Scotsman lost five straight frames from 3-1 ahead to an inspired Noppon in a 6-3 loss in Edinburgh on Saturday evening, but made the journey south to Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield for the opening day of qualifying.

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He will make another trip to Berlin when the last-64 stage of the German Masters is held at the Tempodrom next month (29 January-4 February).

Higgins' fellow former world champions Mark Williams and Ken Doherty are also through to the last 64 after enjoying wins on Monday.

Williams hit a closing break of 106 in a 5-3 success against David Grace, while 1997 world champion Ken Doherty progressed with a 5-0 whitewash of Jenson Jendrick.

European Masters champion Barry Hawkins was in heavy-scoring form as he ran out a 5-2 winner over Stuart Carrington, boosted by knocks of 103, 88, 69 and 138.

Elsewhere, Crucible semi-finalist Si Jiahui hit back from trailing Lyu Haotian 4-0 to complete a remarkable 5-4 win.

Lyu ran in 83, 64, 89 and 112 in dominating the opening four frames, but added only 58 more points as breaks of 123, 87, 98 and 103 saw Si progress to the final venue.