So … we have Gary Wilson vs Noppon Saengkham in the final today in Edinburgh. I’m not sure anyone expected that, but I’m happy with it!

Here are the reports by WST:

Gary Wilson 6-5 Zhou Yuelong

Wilson Overhauls Zhou In Epic Decider

Defending champion Gary Wilson came from requiring three snookers in the deciding frame to beat China’s Zhou Yuelong 6-5 and reach the BetVictor Scottish Open final in Edinburgh.

It had appeared that Zhou was set to run out the victor in the final frame after an opening break of 69. Wilson edged himself back into contention, but when Zhou potted the green he punched the air after leaving his opponent requiring three snookers to win. Wilson got one of them on the brown and another on the blue to give himself the opportunity of a re-spotted black, which he took. Eventually Zhou spurned a chance and Wilson deposited the black to the middle pocket to seal an unlikely victory.

Zhou had seized control of the encounter this afternoon after breaks of 106, 56 and 77 helped him to establish a 5-3 advantage. However, world number 20 Wilson dug deep and composed contributions of 122 and 54 to force what would prove to be the most dramatic of deciders.

Victory sees Wilson make the fourth ranking final of his career, where he will have the chance to claim a second title. The Wallsend cueman lifted the Stephen Hendry Trophy here 12 months ago when he thrashed Joe O’Connor 9-2 in the final. He now awaits either Scotland’s four-time World Champion John Higgins or Thai number one Noppon Saengkham.

Defeat comes will be a bitter blow for Zhou, who remains without silverware on his professional resume. He’s now appeared in six ranking semi-finals and three finals without taking home the title.

“I’m shocked. Absolutely shocked. I’m shaking like a leaf here. It was just one of those crazy games. It wasn’t a great game. I was really struggling technically. I just fought and fought,” said 38-year-old Wilson.

“I’ve been there. I’ve had plenty of opportunities in the past that I’ve squandered to go on and win an event. I think there are some players that have to go through that. I’ve got the upmost respect for Zhou. He’s got bottle as well. I’m not questioning that. The phenomenal players win tournaments and those that are trying to get one have to sometimes go through that and sometimes it is your turn. It will be his turn soon enough.

“You are going through it. At the end it was just a release. I was so pent up that when I potted the last black I was just delighted to win a game like that for a change. It doesn’t happen very often.”

The decider was sheer nail-biting stuff. I don’t know of any other sport that can create such drama.

Here is the end of the match:

Noppon Saengkham 6-3 John Higgins

Saengkham Surge Downs Higgins

Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham went on a five frame blitz to beat home favourite John Higgins 6-3 and reach his first ever ranking event final at the BetVictor Scottish Open in Edinburgh.

World number 26 Saengkham has come close to earning a shot at snooker glory on several occasions. He agonisingly fell short in all four of his ranking event semi-final appearances to date at the 2018 Welsh Open, 2018 World Open, 2022 British Open and the 2023 World Grand Prix.

Saengkham’s first final sees him pitted against defending champion Gary Wilson, who came through a thrilling re-spotted black in the decider to beat Zhou Yuelong 6-5 earlier. The title match will be played over the best of 17 frames with the winner receiving £80,000 and the Stephen Hendry Trophy.

If Saengkham were to win tomorrow he would be come the third Thai player to win a ranking title, following in the footsteps of the legendary James Wattana and current tour contemporary Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

Defeat sees 31-time ranking event winner Higgins continue his quest for a maiden Scottish Open title. The Glaswegian was runner-up in 2016 to Marco Fu and 2021 to Luca Brecel. Higgins also lost a semi-final to Neil Robertson back in 2017.

It was Higgins who delighted a packed crowd in the early stages to gain a stranglehold on proceedings. Breaks of 130 and 92 helped him into a 3-1 advantage ahead of the mid-session interval. However, when play resumed Saengkham took charge.

An incredible clearance of 32 saw him take the fifth on the black to make it 3-2, before a century break of 133 restored parity at 3-3. He claimed a tight seventh and then fired in runs of 120 and 83 to wrap up a landmark 6-3 victory. After getting over the line, Saengkham was in tears and was embraced by Higgins as the pair received a standing ovation from the packed out arena.

“When I was 3-1 down I just had a 15 minute break. I felt nervous and went back to talk with my wife and little Believe (his daughter). I knew it could either happen again and I could lose in another semi-final or I could win today. I just tried to stay in the game and control something. I did it today,” said 31-year-old Saengkham. “Tomorrow anything can happen. If it can be my day, then it will be very good for me.

“John said that I was special, that he hopes I win tomorrow and that I can do it. I can’t really remember as I was so happy at that time.”

Higgins said: “I’m gutted because I’d dearly have loved to have won it here. Take nothing away from Noppon. He was fabulous in the last five frames. I know I missed a few positional shots, I should have went 4-1 in front and ran out of position. He put me under pressure. His long potting was incredible. At the end he was crying and it is his first final. You have to give him all of the credit in the world. I know Gary is a lovely boy but I’d love to see Noppon win. It would be his first title and Gary had his first here last year.”

I can’t comment on that match as I didn’t watch it (yet). I have to confess that I didn’t expect Noppon to win, but I’m delighted he did. I’m not a fan of John Higgins. When I watch him play, I do admire his skills, but, for some reason I don’t understand myself, he bores me. And, also, no matter how long it has been since, I can’t forget what I saw and heard on “that night” at the Crucible in 2010.

Today, Noppon will compete in his first final, Gary will try to defend his maiden title. I can’t remember anyone doing this. There is a lot at stake for both. Whoever wins, I will be happy for him and sorry for his opponent.

This is WST report on the quarter-finals in Edinburgh

Higgins Beats Ford To Make Edinburgh Semis

John Higgins is through to the semi-finals of the BetVictor Scottish Open for the fourth time in his career, after beating Tom Ford 5-3 at the Morningside Sport Centre in Edinburgh.

The legendary Scot is hunting a maiden title in his home event, having already come close to capturing the Stephen Hendry Trophy on a number of occasions. Higgins was runner-up in 2016 and 2021 to Marco Fu and Luca Brecel respectively.

Higgins has been struggling to find his best game in previous round this week, but the 31-time ranking event winner now finds himself just two wins a way from a 32nd and a first since the 2021 Players Championship.

The opening stages of this evening’s encounter saw Higgins begin to hit form, with the Glaswegian firing in breaks of 132, 61 and 64 to establish a quickfire 3-1 lead. However, world number 18 Ford dug deep to claw his way back into contention.

Breaks of 58, 56 and 99 helped the Leicester cueman take three in response to restore parity at 3-3. Higgins took a hard fought seventh to stop the rot and a break of 71 in the eighth took him over the line as a 5-3 victor.

Higgins said: “I think Tom put me under pressure to go 3-3. I wasn’t getting clear cut chances, it was half chances. He missed a couple in the seventh which was a big one. He could have got on top, but luckily I managed to get the frame and finished the match off.

“It was a big win for me. I’ve lost a few times to Tom and he is such an improved player. His head doesn’t really go the way it used to in previous years. He is a top player. I know I’m going to have to play well tomorrow night now.”

Up next for Higgins will be Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham, who earned a 5-3 victory over maiden ranking event quarter-finalist Sanderson Lam.

Saengkham is gunning for a first trip to a ranking event final, having lost in the semis four times. He’s met Higgins twice in the Scottish Open previously, with the Scot prevailing in 2021 and the Thai scoring a win in 2020.

Saengkham said: “I’ve never got past the semi-finals. It would be good to happen tomorrow if I can, because one of my targets and one of my dreams is to win a trophy. I hope I can do this one day, I don’t know when.

“I think John is a top player. I hope tomorrow is going to be my day. I will just enjoy the game. I don’t know what will happen, but I will enjoy, smile and fight.”

Defending champion Gary Wilson earned his progression with a blistering 5-0 defeat of former Shoot Out Champion Chris Wakelin.

Wilson put on a break building barrage with runs of 68, 96, 118, 68 and 82. He faces China’s Zhou Yuelong in the semi-finals after he scored a nerve shredding 5-4 win over 2015 World Champion Stuart Bingham.

This report focuses almost entirely on the evening session and on John Higgins. It’s a shame. Gary Wilson is the defending champion, he’s trying to defend his first ever ranking title and doing a seriously good job of it. There isn’t much more Chris Wakelin could have done yesterday afternoon. He was kept cold all match. Gary was really impressive!

The next match in the afternoon was the completely opposite: it was hard fought. Neither player was at their best, but both were giving it all. It was compelling. If Gary can reproduce the form he showed yesterday Zhou is facing a titanic task today.

Ronnie was in the Eurosport studio in the evening. Of course the subject of his “disrespectful” withdrawal came up. Here is what he had to say, as reported by the press:

Ronnie O’Sullivan calls out rival after ‘disrespectful’ rant over Scottish Open withdrawal

Ronnie O’Sullivan has spoken out after his controversial withdrawal from the Scottish Open.

By Jack McEachen

Home favourite Graham was over the moon for a chance to compete against the sport’s greatest-ever player, who was off the back of a UK Championship win.

However, the tournament organisers were forced to scramble for a last-minute replacement after announcing that O’Sullivan had pulled out of the event at the 11th hour. This came after the 48-year-old hinted that he may miss the Scottish Open following his victory over Ding Junhui at the Barbican in York.

Graham was frustrated as his family and friends had taken time off work to travel to the tournament and watch him face O’Sullivan, with the teenager upset at the manner of the withdrawal.

But O’Sullivan has since set the record straight on the claims that he was disrespectful to his opponent. “I’m feeling alright, not too bad,” he told Eurosport when asked for an update on his medical concern. “I’ve recovered from the UK Championship. It was a hard tournament and took a lot out of me so I wasn’t quite ready to come and play here at the Scottish Open.

“Which was really disappointing as I love this tournament, love this city, love this venue and contrary to what everyone said I did pull out on Sunday night. I didn’t leave it until the last minute like everyone said and seems to think because I wouldn’t do that. But still happy to be here and watching a great tournament with fantastic players.”

O’Sullivan has also received surprise backing from long-time rival Shaun Murphy, who insisted that a “misunderstanding” led to the announcement of the Rocket’s withdrawal. Murphy believes that O’Sullivan did nothing wrong and was within the rules to decide against competing.

So, exactly as I expected, Ronnie did not withdraw last minute, but WST announced it last minute and kept his name in the draw for as long as possible. Sunday night is still late but it would have been possible for Alfie to travel if he had been asked on the Sunday. I very much doubt that Ronnie would say that he withdrew early enough if he wasn’t able to prove it. Was it a genuine misunderstanding or was it deliberate? Was it that WST was too busy at the Shoot Out and would missed the message? I’m not sure and everyone will have an opinion on it. I have mine… the fact is that keeping him in the draw may have sold some more tickets. Was that more important than giving another youngster an opportunity to play and allowing Liam to play in front of his family and friends? As I said everyone will have an opinion…

As we reach the QFs stage in Edinburgh, only one member of the top 16 remains in the draw, the local man, John Higgins. Here is WST report on what happened yesterday:

Higgins Battles To Stay In Hunt

John Higgins scored a hard fought 4-2 win over Lyu Haotian to remain in contention to win his home event, the BetVictor Scottish Open, for the first time at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh.

The four-time World Champion made Scottish Open finals in 2016 and 2021, but was defeated on both occasions by Marco Fu and Luca Brecel respectively. He now faces Tom Ford in the last eight after he booked his place with a 4-2 defeat of Martin O’Donnell.

Higgins is seeking a first piece of ranking silverware since the 2021 Players Championship. In the time since that tournament, the legendary Scot made finals at four ranking events and the Champion of Champions, but is yet to add to his 31 career ranking titles.

It was China’s Lyu who got up and running with a break of 89 to take the opener this evening. Higgins responded with two on the bounce to take the lead, but a run of 91 saw Lyu square things up at 2-2. Higgins crucially fluked the last red in the fifth, leaving himself a treacherous green across the nap with the white in the jaws. He potted it and cleared to move one from the win. A break of 51 in the sixth gave Higgins control and he got over the line to book his last eight berth.

“I’m delighted with winning tonight. I didn’t play my best and neither did Lyu. It is nice to get through and I will try to get ready for tomorrow now,” said 48-year-old Higgins.

“It’s not enjoyable when you aren’t playing great, but I’m playing in front of a lot of the fans that are supporting the Scottish boys to try and do well. I’m just trying to give that little bit extra out there. Luckily so far I’ve managed to do that this week.

“I’ve lost a couple of Scottish Open finals so it would mean a great deal to win. I’m not counting my chickens at all. I’ve got a really tough game in the next round, so I’ll just get ready for that.”

Defending champion Gary Wilson continued his campaign with a 4-1 win over Malaysia’s Rory Thor to make the quarter-finals. The Wallsend cueman crafted breaks of 87, 88, 80 and 89 on his way to victory, with two maximum opportunities among those frames. He now plays former Shoot Out champion Chris Wakelin, who defeated Kyren Wilson 4-2.

Noppon Saengkham defeated Matthew Selt 4-3 to make the quarters and will face Sanderson Lam, who beat Anthony McGill 4-1 to reach the last eight of a ranking event for the first time.

Stuart Bingham put on a sublime display to whitewash an in form Zhang Anda 4-0. Bingham crafted runs of 119, 68, 65 and 89 en route to victory. Next up the Basildon cueman plays Zhou Yuelong, who beat Dominic Dale 4-0. Bingham must win to make the top 32 in the one-year list and earn a place at the World Grand Prix.

This is certainly not a QF line-up many would have predicted.

Gary Wilson is making his defence of his first ever ranking title a good one. His hair cuts and waistcoats may not be as flamboyant as they used to be, but his snooker yesterday certainly was: he had two maximum attempts in his lat 16 match. In frame three, he ran out of position after the 11th red and and had to play the pink instead of the black. In frame five, he missed the 12th black. It’s all the more remarkable because Gary had already played a match in the afternoon, beating Joe O’Connor by 4-3 and Joe always makes it hard for his opponents.

The man Gary beat in the last 16, Rory Thor, deserves a mention. Rory has just regained his tour card this season and had beaten Graeme Dott, Daniel Wells and Ashley Carty to reach the fourth round. Not bad!

Kyren Wilson had battled from 3-0 down to beat David Gilbert in his last 32 match. Gilbert missed a match ball pink in frame five and never recovered mentally. Maybe that match took a bit too much out of Kyren who had to play his (last 16) second match in the evening. Kyren was beaten by the much improved Chris Wakelin. Last season Shoot Out win was truly a “transforming” moment for Chris.

Stuart Bingham, who is now playing with glasses, has not got the best of season so far, but impressed yesterday. I suppose that getting used to the glasses was always going to take a bit of time.

Sanderson Lam is probably one of the most improved players of the season so far. He played a very good match to beat Anthony McGill by 4-1. It was Anthony who scored the only 50+ break of the match, but Sanderson outplayed him tactically and didn’t falter on the important balls. Well done Sanderson! I suppose that not having “the gang” in the crowd, teasing, joking and generally playing havoc, helps the concentration big time!

All the results are onsnooker.org as always.