Higgins Powers Past Maguire To Set Up Wu Final

John Higgins rolled backmost nan years successful a 9-2 triumph complete chap Scot Stephen Maguire to scope nan last of nan International Championship successful China.

The 50-year-old put successful a vintage capacity to group up a gathering pinch location dream Wu Yize successful Sunday's showpiece.

Higgins won nan first six frames of nan time earlier sealing triumph pinch nan first 3 of nan evening session.

Four-time world champion Higgins is now hoping to usage each his acquisition against 22-year-old Wu arsenic he bids to declare a 3rd ranking title of nan year.

"Wu is going to beryllium connected nan crest of a wave, but I'm hoping he finds nan nerves tomorrow because it is his first last successful China," said Higgins astir his chap finalist, who beat world champion Zhao Xintong successful nan first semi-final successful Nanjing.

Higgins ended a four-year hold for a ranking title pinch triumph successful nan World Open successful March, and followed that up successful April by winning nan Tour Championship.

"It was pivotal to triumph nan World Open," Higgins told World Snooker. "It gave maine that spot of self-belief successful my game. It doesn't matter who you are, erstwhile you commencement losing that self-belief nan crippled becomes truthful difficult."

The world number six showed each that belief arsenic he raced into a 6-0 lead complete Maguire, firing successful period breaks of 101 and 137.

And aft losing nan last 2 frames of nan opening session, he bounced backmost to reel disconnected nan 3 he needed to adjacent retired victory, including runs of 93 and 64.

"I americium delighted pinch nan measurement I played today," added nan 33-time ranking arena winner.