Liam Highfield, a 35-year-old snooker player from Stoke-on-Trent, is competing in his first ranking semi-final at the British Open. He will face four-time world champion Mark Selby in Saturday’s match. Highfield, who turned professional in 2010, had a consistent career on the tour until 2024. His highest ranking was 39th in 2022, but his career took a significant turn in 2023 when he suffered a wrist injury in an e-scooter accident, forcing him to take a break from the tour in 2024. Returning to the amateur ranks in his 30s could have ended Highfield’s career, but he fought back by winning the Q Tour Playoffs and the EBSA European Championship, which earned him a return to professional status. This season, he qualified for the Crucible, the prestigious venue for the World Snooker Championship, and now finds himself in his first-ever ranking semi-final. Highfield defeated Stan Moody 5-2 in the quarter-finals, saying, “I've played well all season, really. At the back end of last season I played great. Everything seems to be working and I'm in a good place.” Despite his experience and talent, this is Highfield’s first semi-final appearance in a ranking event. He acknowledged that his potential has sometimes been a double-edged sword, saying, “My ceiling is maybe higher than what I've shown, but that's also my Achilles heel. When your ceiling's high, expectation can be high.” To help him reach his potential, Highfield has signed Anthony Hamilton, a former German Masters champion and top-16 player, as his coach and mentor. Highfield said the partnership has helped him improve, adding, “I work really hard as well, which is a big help.” Highfield’s resurgence has been fueled by a renewed attitude and dedication, partly influenced by the shock of being removed from the tour and the birth of his daughter last year. He said having a child has sharpened his focus, saying, “I'm just trying to prove a point and see if I can get back up to where I was a few years ago in the rankings. I think I'm a much better player than I was then.” Mark Selby, Highfield’s semi-final opponent, has known him for years and has always respected his abilities. Selby said Highfield’s recent success is not a surprise, adding, “Every time I watch him he always seems to play well, but doesn't seem to get to the back end of tournaments, so it doesn't surprise me that all of a sudden he's now started doing it.” Selby praised Highfield’s all-around game but emphasized the importance of mental strength, saying, “You need to have both [talent and mental strength]."