Scottish Delivery: John Higgins whitewashes Ronnie O’Sullivan to reach semis

John Higgins whitewashed Ronnie O’Sullivan in a ranking match for the predominant time in 23 years to reach the Scottish Delivery semi-finals.

The Scot rattled in three consecutive century breaks – 109, 117 and one zero five – to birth out up a four-zero interval lead.

‘The Rocket’, who has won three ranking titles only in the near previous, rallied briefly however a Seventy two wreck from Higgins sealed a 5-zero win.

Higgins will subsequent face Neil Robertson, who beat China’s Xiao Guodong 5-four, whereas Judd Trump beat Stephen Maguire.

O’Sullivan, who has won the English Delivery, Shanghai Masters and UK Championship in the final two months, paid tribute to his opponent’s salubrious performance.

« John’s a class act; an salubrious participant, splendid, » he stated. « He’s obtained touch, capacity, vitality – he’s obtained all the issues. Ought to you had been going to originate a snooker participant, which it is most likely you’ll well maybe originate John.

« He conducted beautifully smartly. No excuses, I became right here to examine out to win the match, it honest did no longer figure out. But I am invent of relieved I influence now no longer want to come again back and play but any other match.

« I am having a gape ahead to getting home and now no longer having to pack my suitcase. I honest desire a wreck and confidently I may come again rejuvenated for the Masters in January. »

It became the predominant time for the reason that 1994 Gigantic Prix that Higgins had won every frame against O’Sullivan in a ranking match.

« That became on my system to honorable my first match, » Higgins recalled. « I will take into myth it; I conducted him in the quarter-finals. Here’s a immense result for me. »

The Scot additionally beat the 5-time world champion, 5-2, at the same stage of final one year’s Scottish Delivery, sooner than occurring to lose the final to Marco Fu.

« Here’s a magnificent better result, due to the vogue Ronnie’s been taking half in this one year and his confidence, » Higgins instructed BBC Scotland. « I’m additionally maybe now no longer as confident as I became final one year. »

‘I’m seeing my sport reach but any other level’

Earlier, Trump ended Maguire’s plod at his home match with a 5-2 victory.

Trump won the predominant two frames sooner than the Glaswegian answered, however the arena quantity three made it four-1 and a 43 clearance in the seventh sealed it.

He’ll play either Ricky Walden or Chinese participant Cao Yupeng in the different semi-final at Thirteen:00 GMT on Saturday, with Higgins-Robertson to practice at 19:00.

Robertson rattled in consecutive centuries from 2-1 down – 114 and 128 – and seized his chance to seal victory from Guodong’s wreck-off in the decider.

He believes his most modern commitment to intensive practice is paying off.

« The final couple of months, with the amount of practice I am doing, I am seeing my sport reach but any other level, in particular in the scoring department, » he stated.

« I feel as if I am taking half in better than I ever have performed. If I keeper producing all these performances, opponents know that in the occasion that they miss, I may sure the table. »