John Higgins credits ‘divine intervention’ after miraculous Wuhan Open comeback

The Scot has been having a difficult time after being forced to change his cue following damage to it, and had looked on the verge of defeat in Wuhan against Fan Zhengyi

John Higgins credited “divine intervention” after his 5-4 victory over Fan Zhengyi in round two of the Wuhan Open.

Higgins trailed 3-0 and 4-2 to China’s Fan before he managed a break of 61 to grab one back and went on to complete the turnaround. The Scottish player, who has been forced to change his cue after his previous one was damaged, said: “I was going nowhere after Saudi Arabia with my old cue.

“My game was in bad shape. It maybe took some divine intervention, I don’t know what it was. It made me swap equipment and it seems to have given me a lease of life. Who knows how long it will last but today it seems good.”

Higgins will now meet Zak Surety in the next round after he beat Robert Milkins 5-4 to advance.

Defending champion Judd Trump eased past He Guoqiang 5-2 with the Englishman making two centuries.

Shaun Murphy held his nerve in a 5-3 win over former German Masters champion Anthony Hamilton. Murphy, who managed a 105 on his way to victory, said: “I don’t think anyone can swamp Anthony.

“He knows too much and is too clever. He has every shot in the book and I have vast amounts of respect for him. There were moments in the match where we both produced brilliance and moments where we both produced garbage. In the end I’m delighted to be through.”