The tearful four-time world champion John Higgins overcame overwhelming emotions to beat Joe O’Connor 10-7 at the Crucible.
The 49-year-old was out of sorts in losing the morning session 5-4 but returned later in the day to turn things around and admitted afterwards he was battling strong feelings.
After edging 6-5 ahead, he finally produced a break of note with a century in the 12th frame. Although his opponent, who had been on course for the 15th 147 in Crucible history until he missed a 13th red in the morning, fought back to 7-7, the veteran Scot pulled through to win the final three frames.
“That was the most emotional I have ever been today,” Higgins, who came into this year’s tournament in top form after clinching the Tour Championship title earlier this month, told BBC Sport before breaking down. “I left my wife and I was in tears. Obviously my father-in-law wasn’t great [after a heart attack last week] and I was having dinner with my boy last night and thinking about sitting here with my dad 25 years ago.
“I was drained today. I had a couple of hours sleep and I came out and felt and played a lot better. I am still so proud that I am still playing at a good level at this age.”
Mark Allen is determined to seek inspiration from recent Crucible champions as he looks to end a difficult season on a high by claiming the world snooker title for the first time.
The 39-year-old has slipped from first to eighth in the world after failing to go beyond a ranking semi-final this season, but says he is brimming with confidence after completing a 10-6 win against the Chinese qualifier Fan Zhengyi.
Both Kyren Wilson and Luca Brecel clinched their respective world titles having arrived in Sheffield on the back of below-par campaigns and, after reeling off four frames in a row to make victory against Fan a formality, Allen looks to be regaining his momentum.
