Murphy and Higgins look for last-four berth

World champion Shaun Murphy and Grand Prix champion John Higgins will both be fighting for a place in the semi-finals of the SAGA Insurance Masters today.

The pair locks horns at Wembley Conference Centre in a best-of-11 frame quarter-final showdown, both players boosted by gutsy second-round wins.

Last season’s Crucible winner Murphy battled back from three frames behind to beat Dubliner Ken Doherty, while Higgins kept his nerve to grab a 6-3 victory over crowd favourite Jimmy White.

The last time the two players met was at the World Championship in Sheffield last season, with Murphy a 13-8 victor on his way to a memorable victory.

But Higgins proved this season that some of his vintage form is returning.

He powered to an excellent victory over world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Grand Prix final at Preston’s Guild Hall, a match which saw the Scot set a new record for unanswered points, pocketing a staggering 494.

Murphy has been unlucky so far this season, losing two last-frame matches. The Rotherham cueman lost 5-4 to Basildon’s Stuart Bingham in Preston, while a 9-8 defeat to Australian left-hander Neil Robertson followed at the Travis Perkins UK Championship at the York Barbican Centre.

And both players, unsurprisingly, realise they will have to play well to earn a semi-final meeting with either Welshman Mark Williams or 1994 Masters champion Alan McManus.

“I lost quite heavily to Shaun the last time I played him, so hopefully I play better this time,” said Higgins.

“I’ve felt good this season, but it’s so hard to judge how well you are playing.

“There’s big gaps between the tournaments, which isn’t ideal, but you’ve got to play well in these matches because the standard these days is so high.”

Murphy, meanwhile, is hopeful his grafting performance to beat Doherty will inspire him on to greater success at this year’s Masters, the final tournament at the Wembley Conference Centre.

“It’s a wonderful venue here and you’re always guaranteed a great atmosphere,” said Murphy.

“I was very pleased to get over the line in my last match. Ken gives you nothing, but I threw all my eggs into one basket and went for my shots.

“I think I needed that type of match to make me raise my game. I’m really looking forward to playing John.”