Higgins crushes O’Sullivan to set up last four scrap with Robertson

JOHN Higgins stormed into the semi-finals of the Dafabet Scottish Open on day five with a stunning performance against Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The Wizard of Wishaw barely put a foot wrong all night as he claimed a quickfire 5-0 victory over the world No.2, cheered on by a raucous Glasgow crowd.

The 42-year-old has been in stellar form all week at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena and he continued that against the UK champion, firing in three century-breaks and a sublime 72 to settle the match. Higgins said: “I’ve lost quite heavily the last couple of times I’ve played him so I tried my hardest tonight in front of my family and friends.”

Higgins will face Neil Robertson in the semi-final today after the Australian overcame China’s Xiao Guodong 5-4.

There was heartbreak though for Stephen Maguire after he lost out to world No.3 Judd Trump in the afternoon session.

Trump was the favourite going into the match against the Glaswegian and backed up that view with a quick start, surging into a two-frame lead before finishing 5-2 up. The Bristolian will play against China’s Cao Yupeng in the other semi-final today.

Yupeng beat England’s Ricky Walden 5-3.

Watch the Scottish Open Live on Eurosport, Eurosport Player and Quest with Andy Goldstein and analysis from Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.