Following their respective victories in the third round at the Tempodrom in Berlin, John Higgins and Mark Allen will square off in the last 16 of the German Masters.
Higgins defeated Zhou Yuelong of China 5-3 with the help of calm breaks of 89 and 97.
“I’m attempting to replicate my past performance,” declared the four-time world champion Higgins, who has won 31 ranking titles but hasn’t received any recognition for almost three years.
“I believe the phrase to be that I may have been more obstinate. I’m making an effort to return there and give myself a chance to succeed.
“There are moments when I tell people how I’m feeling a little too honestly.
“I can be too honest sometimes and tell people how I’m feeling.
“You can’t afford to in this game. You have to be totally focused on your own game and not give an inch out there.”
Northern Ireland’s Allen grinded his way to a 5-2 win over Joe O’Connor, the first four frames taking nearly two hours to complete.
When play resumed after the mid-session break, Allen found his form and took three on the bounce to secure victory.
Judd Trump overpowered Matthew Selt 5-2 with breaks of 66, 97, 118 and 73 underlining his excellent form.
Defending champion Ali Carter beat China’s Pang Junxu 5-2 and will next face Zak Surety.
Surety reached the last 16 of a ranking event for the first time after defeating Elliot Slessor 5-2.
Belgium’s Julian Leclercq swept aside former Welsh Open champion Jordan Brown 5-1.
In the morning session, Kyren Wilson blitzed fellow Englishman Ben Woollaston 5-1 with breaks of 96, 129, 53 and 67.
Mark Davis also beat Barry Hawkins 5-1 and there were also third-round wins for David Lilley and Ryan Day, who beat current Welsh Open champion Robert Milkins 5-1.
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