MANCHESTER — John Higgins, the defending champion, lost 10-1 to Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals of the Tour Championship in Manchester. The defeat was the heaviest of Higgins's 34-year career.

Zhao, the 29-year-old world champion, compiled 11 breaks of more than 50 points, including one century, across the match. Higgins won only the 10th frame before Zhao closed out the victory in the following frame with a break of 85.

"I played well and I am very happy to reach the final," Zhao said. "My cueing was very good. I tried not to think too much - I just enjoyed the table and concentrated on the balls."

Higgins had previously suffered lopsided losses at major events, including a 13-4 defeat to Stephen Hendry at the 2012 World Championship and an 18-9 loss to Judd Trump in the final of the 2019 World Championship. The 10-1 scoreline in Manchester represented his most one-sided result.

The win moved Zhao into his sixth ranking final. He won all five of his previous ranking finals, matching a record held by Steve Davis, Mark Williams, and Neil Robertson, who each won their first five. Zhao is also guaranteed to rise to a career-high fourth place in the world rankings regardless of the final's outcome.

Zhao will face world number one Trump in the Tour Championship final, the first meeting between the two players at this stage of a tournament. "To play Judd in a final for the first time will be a big moment for me. It will be very tough," he said. "This season I have been in four finals and I am enjoying every moment and trying to get better."

Zhao won the World Grand Prix and the Players Championship in February 2026. A victory in the Tour Championship final would make him the first player to win all three Players Series events in the same season.