Exclusive: Bizarre Fan Distraction Can’t Stop John Higgins’ Quarterfinal Charge

Scottish snooker legend John Higgins battled past in-form Chris Wakelin in a dramatic 6-5 victory to secure his spot in the 2025 Players Championship quarterfinals. 

In a marathon contest that swung back and forth, Higgins staged a late comeback, holding his nerve in the decider to seal the win. 

However, one of the biggest talking points came from an unexpected source – a fan in the crowd who tried to put Higgins off during the final frame.

Fan Tries to Distract Higgins in Decider

With the match finely poised at 5-5, Wakelin looked on course for victory after building a break of 51. But a missed red on the bottom cushion gave Higgins the lifeline he needed, and he clinically cleared up to complete a stunning turnaround. 

Yet, in a crucial moment of the break, Higgins found himself interrupted by a spectator in the arena.

Recalling the bizarre incident post-match, Higgins revealed the fan was deliberately trying to distract him while he was lining up a shot to the green pocket.

“It was just a guy when I was going into the green pocket, he started handing something over to his mate. And then, like he was, he's laughing at me as if he's sort of put me off," Higgins told SportsBoom.com.

Wakelin’s Costly Miss Hands Higgins Lifeline

Despite the attempted distraction, Higgins showed his experience, refocusing to get the job done. It was a performance full of resilience, and the four-time world champion was quick to acknowledge the challenge Wakelin posed, praising his opponent’s improvement over the past couple of seasons.

“He’s a good player, Chris. He’s really improved in the last couple of years. That’s a big win for me.”

The turning point in the match came in the mammoth eighth frame, which lasted over an hour and levelled the scores at 4-4. Higgins had trailed 3-1 early on, and he admitted that grinding out that frame was crucial to his eventual victory.

“That’s what probably won me the match. If I lose that frame to 5-3, then he probably knocks the wind out of my sails and Chris would have gone on to win.”

Yushan Triumph Sparks Higgins’ Revival

Higgins’ resurgence in form has coincided with his triumph at the 2025 World Open in Yushan, where he defeated Joe O’Connor in the final to secure his first ranking title in four years. 

Given that he had lost his previous five finals, the significance of that victory was enormous.

Reflecting on the impact of his Yushan win, Higgins admitted it had given him a newfound confidence that played a role in his comeback against Wakelin.

“It was massive. Even in that last frame there, you know when things are going for you. I fancied Chris to miss that red. Whereas if I’ve not won the event and you’re maybe struggling for confidence, I wouldn’t clear up from there.”

At one point earlier in the season, Higgins had even dropped out of the sport’s top 16 for the first time in 29 years. 

Now he is fourth on the one-year list and one of the most in-form players on the tour. We asked if slipping outside the top 16 had served as a wake-up call for him.

“It’s a crazy game that I’ve played for far too long, you’ve just got to enjoy it when things are going good because there’s far more downs in this game than there is ups.”

“It’s the highest I’ve felt for years since I won my last ranking event, absolutely.”

Higgins’ victory over Wakelin not only showcased his enduring class but also his ability to overcome obstacles—both from his opponent and, unexpectedly, from the crowd.

With his confidence back and his ranking climbing, the Wizard of Wishaw looks like a serious contender once again.