The old fox loves the spotlight, especially when basking in it

The roar of the crowd in Sheffield is a familiar sound for veteran snooker player Neil Robertson, but this year's championship has brought a particularly bitter pill to swallow. Missing out on the semi-finals since 2014 is a tough statistic to digest, especially after a hard-fought match.

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Higgins is a special opponent.

Robertson, ever the sportsman, acknowledged the formidable presence of John Higgins. He conceded that Higgins' recent triumph over Ronnie O'Sullivan likely provided a significant psychological edge, a boost of confidence that proved difficult to overcome.

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Beating O’Sullivan can give him a lot of confidence.

Meanwhile, Higgins himself spoke of a profound personal transformation. Over the last two years, he has cultivated a more resilient mindset, shedding the self-criticism that once plagued him. This newfound equanimity, coupled with a more positive outlook, is clearly translating onto the table, offering him a fresh opportunity to prove his mettle on snooker's grandest stage.

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I have changed mentally over the last two years: I am less self-critical, I approach competitions with a better attitude, and this helps my game.