John Higgins motored into the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions with a dominant show on Wednesday in Bolton.

The 2016 winner thrashed event debutant Chris Wakelin 4-0 within the first spherical, establishing a Group FInal (quarter-final) tie in opposition to Ding Junhui.

The latter – a late alternative after the withdrawal of Ronnie O’Sullivan – had earlier survived a marathon and dramatic contest with the in-form Zhang Anda.

Ding confirmed little indicators of tiredness when he responded to Higgins’ opening break of 96 with a terrific 106 of his personal.

Nonetheless, it was one-way site visitors after that because the Wizard of Wishaw reeled off runs of 83, 80, 93, 86, and 82 in an ideal efficiency.

It’s solely the third time Higgins has reached the Champion of Champions semi-finals, and within the penultimate spherical he’ll face Northern Eire’s Mark Allen.

“I’m delighted with that,” John Higgins advised Matchroom Sport. “I can’t play any higher than that basically.”

“I’ve performed six 80-odd breaks, it was good. I actually loved taking part in on the market.

“Typically you’re on the market in entrance of an enormous crowd, and you may possibly get into your shell. However I felt good on the market tonight, in order that was nice.

“It’s an excellent venue right here, it truly is. I’ve all the time loved taking part in right here – it’s nice for the spectators and good to your mates as properly.

“The balcony is overlooking issues. I liked it on the market tonight, and now I can’t wait to come back again out on Saturday.

“I knew I used to be going to have my work minimize out, as a result of Ding had an important consequence in opposition to Anda Zhang.

“We all the time have nice matches, me and Mark (Allen). We’ve not performed so much as professionals.

“However each time we’ve performed, we all the time appear to have actually high-quality video games.

“The final time we performed, he managed to pip me within the Northern Eire Open ultimate 9-8.

“I suppose I possibly owe him one again, however I can’t wait to play him. I can’t wait.”

On Thursday, the remaining part might be contested to find out the fourth semi-finalist.

Judd Trump might be an enormous favorite in opposition to girls’s world champion Baipat Siripaporn, with the winner to face both Shaun Murphy or Gary Wilson.

2023 Champion of Champions (Instances: UTC)

Monday (Group 4)
Final 16 (bo7)
Mark Allen 4-1 Jimmy White
Mark Selby 3-4 Ali Carter

Quarter-Remaining (bo11)
Mark Allen 6-2 Ali Carter

Tuesday (Group 2)
Final 16 (bo7)
Luca Brecel 0-4 Barry Hawkins
Mark Williams 2-4 Robert Milkins

Quarter-Remaining (bo11)
Barry Hawkins 6-2 Robert Milkins

Wednesday (Group 1)
Final 16 (bo7)
John Higgins 4-0 Chris Wakelin
Ding Junhui 4-3 Zhang Anda

Quarter-Remaining (bo11)
John Higgins 6-1 Ding Junhui

Thursday (Group 3)
Final 16 (bo7)
Judd Trump vs Baipat Siripaporn (1pm)
Shaun Murphy vs Gary Wilson (NB 2pm)

Quarter-Remaining (bo11)
Trump/Siripaporn vs Murphy/Wilson (7pm)

Friday
Semi-Remaining (bo11)
Barry Hawkins vs Winner of Group 3 (7pm)

Saturday
Semi-Remaining (bo11)
John Higgins vs Mark Allen (7pm)

Sunday
Remaining (bo19)
Hawkins/TBC vs Higgins/Allen (1pm and 7pm)

Featured picture credit score: WST