John Higgins produced a magical display of break building and showed exactly why he is one of the firm favourites to lift the trophy this week at the iconic Alexandra palace. Higgins opened up with a break of 100 only for the mercurial Xingtong to fire back with a break of 128 to level the match.

Higgins reeled of the next 3 frame stroking in a magnificent break of 104 to lead 4-1 and had full control of the match. Xingtong won the next to cut the deficit to 4-2 but breaks of 49 and 78 wrapped up victory for the two time masters winner and he will now face Mark Williams for a place in the semi finals.

Barry Hawkins produced an awesome display of break building to power his way into the quarter finals.

Hawkins fired in 5 breaks of 50 plus including a magnificent break of 103 on route to victory and will now face elite sports management stable mate Mark Selby or Stephen Maguire for a place in the semi finals.

Barry spoke to however you like to break reporter Curtis Braithwaite after the match and said “ I’m delighted with my performance tonight and really enjoyed playing in such a great atmosphere. I felt so relaxed out there and it made a nice change from playing in front of an empty arena last year and I’ll be looking forward to the quarter finals on Friday night”.