体坛英语新闻：Higgins beats Ding to reach semis at snooker Masters

LONDON, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Former world champion John Higgins ended China's Ding Junhui's hope at Wembley Masters at the quarter-final stage on Thursday as he beat Ding 6-4.

    The Scotsman next will challenge defending champion Mark Selby, who put out Northern Ireland's Mark Allen 6-5, for a place in the final.

    Higgins opened up a 3-1 lead over Ding in the best-of-11 frame quarter-final but the Chinese star roared back to level at 4-4. Higgins took the next two frames to secure victory.

    Earlier, Englishman Selby came from 4-2 and 5-4 behind to see off Allen's Wembley challenge.

    Friday sees the conclusion of the quarter-finals with Stephen Maguire of Scotland facing Australia's Neil Robertson while world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan takes on English compatriot Ali Carter.