John Higgins suffered the heaviest defeat of his 34-year career, losing 10-1 to Zhao Xintong in the Tour Championship semi-finals in Manchester. The defending champion was comprehensively beaten, with Zhao racking up 11 breaks over 50, including a century. Higgins managed only the 10th frame as Zhao closed out victory in the 11th with an 85-point break, securing his place in Sunday's final against world number one Judd Trump.

This emphatic loss marks the first time Higgins has been beaten by such a margin in a best-of-19 contest, surpassing his previous 13-4 and 18-9 defeats against Hendry and Trump. Zhao's century break was a pivotal moment in his dominant performance.