Masters 2026: Jimmy White praises John Higgins for ‘one of the best displays of long potting’ to set up quarter-final with Zhao Xintong
‘What a performance’ – Higgins wraps up win with brilliant long red
Video credit: TNT Sports
John Higgins’ impressive win over Barry Hawkins had Jimmy White purring, with the TNT Sports expert labelling the performance “probably one of the best displays of long potting you will see”.Higgins rolled in breaks of 50, 71, 53, 99, 58 and 61 in a 6-2 win, as he set about securing his first Masters title since 2006.
The four-time world champion missed only one long pot in live play – one Higgins said he “butchered” – and White was hugely impressed.
“You hit the ball really well,” White said in the TNT Sports studio. “You looked like you were enjoying yourself and really relaxed.
“They were going in the centre of the pocket, all of them, and it’s a real confidence booster when you are potting these long balls. I think you only missed one long red.”
“It was one near the end, I butchered it,” replied Higgins.
White feels the kind of potting display Higgins put on can only build confidence.
“When you are potting long balls your confidence grows and grows,” White said. “That was probably one of the best displays of long potting you will see, it was fantastic.”
Reflecting on his performance, Higgins said: “I was really, really happy.
‘Oh wow, oh wow’ – Higgins sinks stunning long red
Video credit: TNT Sports
“I potted some good long balls, which has not been my strong point lately. I was delighted with the way I hit the ball.”
Higgins suggested that at 50 years of age, he is at the stage in his career where he can freewheel.
“I have got to a stage now in my career to be thankful and to come down and enjoy it,” he said.
“Normally you come down here and you get yourself in the dressing room and you try and get yourself up for the match and it can go the opposite way. So I just felt, come down and enjoy it.
“We went and saw The Devil Wears Prada last night, me Denise and Oliver. I was nearly falling asleep.”
‘What a performance’ – Higgins wraps up win with brilliant long red
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Alexandra Palace crowd gave great support to both players, and Higgins feels it has trumped the Masters’ previous home at the Wembley Conference Centre.
“It is an unbelievable occasion,” Higgins said. “This venue now, I think it is better than the Wembley Conference Centre, the atmosphere it generates.
“I have never done great here, maybe the furthest I have been is the semi-finals, so it would be great to have a good run and sample the atmosphere at the final weekend, as it always looks incredible.”
‘I potted some good long balls which is not my strong point’ – Higgins thrilled with win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Higgins: No way I will fall over the line against Xintong
Higgins says he will meet fire with fire in his quarter-final clash with world champion Zhao Xintong.
“I will have to play like that again to beat Xintong, he is a special player,” Higgins said.
“I am going to have to go for my shots, there is no way I will fall over the line against Xintong.
“I have got to go out and go for it. If they go in, I have got a chance.”
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