According to Metro - Main, John Higgins lost to Shaun Murphy 17-15 in the World Championship semi-final after missing a crucial black. The miss occurred in the 32nd frame, ending Higgins' break at 50 and allowing Murphy to clinch the frame and match. Metro - Main further reported that Higgins expressed bitter disappointment over the missed shot, attributing it to his aging action and describing his attempt as weak.
He also praised Murphy's performance, suggesting Murphy's play in the last session was extraordinarily good. Murphy, in turn, commended Higgins as a great player and competitor, stating he hopes to be half as accomplished at Higgins' age. Murphy is now pursuing his second world title in what is his fifth Crucible final, Metro - Main noted.
It’s raw just now, the way it finished, I’m bitterly disappointed with that one shot on the black.
The other semi-final, between Mark Allen and Wu Yize, is currently tied at 11-11, Metro - Main reported. Both players are aiming to reach their first final. It remains uncertain who Murphy will face in the final, and no schedule has been announced.
Additionally, it is unclear whether Higgins will consider retirement following this defeat.
Right now I’m obviously sick at the way I finished that final black. That’s the overriding emotion I’ve got right now. Once you think of the season and some of the matches I’ve played here, I suppose you’ll be…I don’t know if the word is happy, but you’ll just have to see what happens.
Just very weak, the shot on the black there at the end, I know the pressure is on, but in the final session Shaun was punching and really going for it. I got lost a little bit at the end there. It’s understandable, it’s difficult.
I played the black so badly, it’s as if I was trying to steer it in at the end instead of trying to play it positively and stun it in.
It’s just what happens with your action, when you get a little bit older, it’s starting to break down at certain times and it broke down badly in that last frame there.
Shaun, you can’t hit the ball better than that, the way Shaun hit the ball in the last session. It was incredible. He hits it like God. Disappointed, but what can you do?
John Higgins, what a player, what a man. The harder it gets out here, the tougher he gets, the better he plays. Would you give me a break? What a player, what a competitor, what a man he’s been. If I’m half the player when I’m in my fifties as he is, I’ll be very proud.