John Higgins says he is “buzzing” after reaching the Semi-Finals of the World Championship for the first time since 2011 and believes he has what it takes to capture a fifth title at the Crucible.

The four-time World Champion secured his eighth appearance in the Last Four of snooker’s blue-riband event, after completing a comfortable 13-6 victory over Kyren Wilson in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Higgins, who narrowly missed out in 2016 after losing 13-11 to Alan McManus in the Last Eight, is delighted to be back in the business end of the tournament, admitting he feared his time had passed following a loss of form after his most recent triumph.

“In the couple of years after winning in 2011, I was losing, my form wasn’t great and I didn’t think I was going to get back to the one-table set-up,” he said. “It’s the best place in the world to get out there and play.

“I can’t wait to come in tomorrow morning for practise and then walking out into the arena – I’m buzzing to be doing it again.”

The Scotsman will play either Barry Hawkins or Stephen Maguire in the semi-finals, a round in which he has won on five of his seven previous appearances.

And, arriving in good form after also beating Martin Gould and Mark Allen in Sheffield, he is confident that his game is in the right shape to go all the way once more.

“Inside, I’m more relaxed this year. I think that’s because I’m playing OK,” he added.

“During this event, you need to have a few sessions where you’re dominating another player. I feel as if my game can be there to do that – I did it against Mark and have done that against Kyren.

“I believe I can win it again and it’s a great feeling to have.”