2015 China Open (Day 4) - Higgins stronger than Trump

The fourth day of cue-crossings here at the China Open event from Beijing was a real treat for the snooker fans as John Higgins managed to overcome the Judd Trump-machine gone mad.

A real display of snooker skills and a myriad of tick-shots were part of the equation, but in the end the Scotsman prevailed the test of youth and brilliancy by 5-4.

The lads fought for a place in the QFs so it was no surprise to detect an edgy start, but a pretty determined Trump used a top break of 46 to win the opening frame.

His opponent levelled the match with the first occasion that arose and also went away to take control of the match's faith with runs of 64 and 32. John was in the lead now, 3-1 at the interval.

After the mini-break the Bristolian hit a 62 break to pull back a frame, but Higgins was careful enough and used a 49 one to go just one away of victory.

But you don't mess up with Judd! Especially since you beat him in the final of the 2011 World Championship and he still hasn’t forgotten about that!

And so Trump hit in runs of 58 and 68 to force the decider, a decider that he pretty much could have won (being 59 in front and all that).

But then it happened: the clearance! Higgins made a brilliant clearance and won the final frame on the black. Great and dramatic, just like God made it!

Fist in the air and you knew this was huge for current champion of the Welsh Open. 

In his next match "The Wizard of Wishaw" will meet local hero Ding Junhui, who beat Mark Williams 5-2 in a match that made the crowd go "Wow!"

You didn't even have to watch the scoreline to know that Ding was on fire at the other table (Higgins v. Trump match was the one televised) as the crowd was constantly reacting on what was going on the green baize.

Ding used runs of 68, 37 and 22 to go 2-0 in front before Williams could disturb the balls and win himself a frame.

Still, by the time the mid-session interval was starting Ding was fully in control at 3-1 thanks to a strategically 103 break.

Williams managed to pull back another frame (last time I checked he was on an 81 break), but after that it was a one-way street for Ding and his runs of 42, 30 and 33.

It's going to be interesting to watch the quarter-final match against him and the Scotsman, there's no doubt about that.

Stephen Maguire lost 5-3 to a fearless Barry Hawkins, which basically means that his Top 16 spot is in a bit of a danger especially if Robert Milkins (who beat Michael White by 5-1) reaches the final.

Kurt Maflin continued his great run and obtained a 5-1 victory in front of Robin Hull, the same scoreline being recorded by Gary Wilson in front of Dechawat Poomjaeng, while Mark Selby beat David Gilbert 5-2.

The order of play for Friday's quarter-finals can be viewed here.