John Higgins equals Ronnie O’Sullivan record after reaching last eight in Yushan

Nobody has reached more ranking event quarter-finals than the Scot.

PA Media

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John Higgins equalled Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record for the most ranking event quarter-final appearances after beating Zhou Yuelong 5-4 at the Weide Cup World Open.

Four-time world champion Higgins, 49, overcame a stomach upset in Yushan to fight back from 4-2 down and reach the last eight at a ranking tournament for the 146th time in his 33-year professional career.

Higgins said: “One more quarter-final for 147 would be nice. I’ve had a long career and maybe that’s why I’ve managed to rack up some of those numbers.

“I’m proud to still be going. I still love competing out there and I’d dearly love to win a big event. That’s what I’m trying my hardest to do.”

Higgins, who made breaks of 60 and 74 at 4-2 down to level it up against Zhou before a match-winning 72 in the decider, will play Pang Junxu on Thursday.

Pang defeated fellow Chinese Xu Si 5-2, while Zak Surety reached his first ranking event quarter-final after a 5-2 win over Liu Hongyu.

World number 89 Surety made breaks of 97, 126, 86 and 65 to guarantee a £22,000 pay cheque and a last-eight match against Tom Ford, who beat Jimmy Robertson 5-3

Shaun Murphy overcame Ding Junhui 5-2 and will now face Joe O’Connor, a 5-3 winner against Michael Holt.

Barry Hawkins will play Ali Carter for a place in the semi-finals after their respective 5-3 and 5-1 victories over Ryan Day and David Lilley.