Kent’s Barry Hawkins powered into the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championships at The Crucible in Sheffield.

Hawkins will face John Higgins in the next round after a 13-9 victory over Stephen Maguire.

The 38-year-old from Ditton near Maidsone started the final session with a 9-7 lead, but saw Maguire win the opening two frames of the evening session to draw level at 9-9.

Frame 19 saw the turning point in the match, when Hawkins fluked his opening red of the frame, before going on to clear the table. From there, he never looked back.

Speaking after the match to WorldSnooker.com, the 2013 runner-up said he was looking forward to returning to the one-table format, which is introduced at the semi-final stages.

“When it goes to one table it just becomes a great arena, it feels like you’re miles away from the table. The atmosphere is unbelievable, when you get introduced out there there’s no better feeling. All the years growing up watching it on TV dreaming of playing in the one table set up, all of a sudden you’re walking out there.”

Reigning World Champion Mark Selby faces Ding Junhui in a repeat of last year’s Final in the other semi-final, while Hawkins will face four-time champion John Higgins.
Barry Hawkins 13-9 Stephen Maguire (Best of 25)

25-82 (81), 88-40, 65-41, 98-4 (98), 71-43, 79-27, 57-68, 21-66, 116-0 (86), 40-81 (53), 7-69, 18-59 (57), 93-4, 83-4, 46-56, 83-37, 0-135 (135), 11-65, 126-0 (126), 81-35, 69-29, 77-0 (77)