Higgins Fights Back as Murphy Sits Level in World Semi

John Higgins dug in and hit back, turning an uneven start into a 4-4 deadlock with Shaun Murphy in the opening session of their World Championship semi-final.

The summary from the session points to a match that never settled into one player’s control. Higgins, known for his nerve in the biggest moments, produced what reports describe as a battling display to erase Murphy’s advantage and reset the contest by the close. That scoreline leaves the tie finely poised, with neither player able to claim momentum for long.

Higgins did not let the match drift; he wrestled it back to 4-4 and kept the semi-final on a knife edge.

The broader picture only sharpens the pressure. In the other semi-final, reports indicate Wu holds the lead over Mark Allen, adding another layer of intrigue to a championship now balanced on small swings and timely composure. At this stage of the tournament, players do not just chase frames — they test each other’s patience, discipline, and belief.

For Murphy, the frustration will center on the missed chance to carry a clear lead out of the session. For Higgins, the recovery matters as much as the score. Semi-finals often tilt on how players respond when control slips, and Higgins answered that question early. He kept the damage contained, then turned the match back into a straight fight.

Now the contest moves forward with everything still in play. The next session will decide whether Higgins’ resistance becomes a platform or whether Murphy can reassert himself before the match tightens further. That matters not just for a place in the final, but for the shape of a championship that suddenly looks wide open.