John Higgins derailed old rival Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bid for a record eighth World Snooker Championship with an epic 13-12 win in the last 16 at the Crucible.30 years on from their first meeting in Sheffield, Higgins prevailed in a deciding 25th frame after a see-saw battle of serious quality.
At one stage, the Scot trailed 9-4 on Sunday evening before reeling off six frames in succession to surge into the lead as O’Sullivan struggled. “The Rocket” hit back, though, and showed real character to force a decider after Higgins had moved to within a frame of victory.
O’Sullivan had a chance among the balls, too, but ran out of position and rattled the next red in the jaws, letting his opponent in to provide a half-century break that proved a match-winning contribution. The 50-year-old O’Sullivan had hoped to surpass Stephen Hendry as the outright most successful player in Crucible history; instead, Higgins will continue his hunt for a fifth world title in a quarter-final against either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin.
Follow all of the latest from the Crucible in Sheffield with our live blog below:
Among the best ever?
John Parrott, speaking on BBC, says: “That is one of the greatest sessions of snooker played in this place. Ronnie O’Sullivan had his chance, but for John Higgins that must be one of his greatest-ever victories.”
It’s hard to think of too many better.
A reminder that Higgins had been 9-4 down at one point last night. But he was gritty to make it 9-7 down overnight before going 11-10 clear. Some of his break building this afternoon must be considered among the very best of his career.
Higgins wins 13-2 – and 66-8 in the decider
And Higgins wins it! O’Sullivan plays a weird shot, an unconvincing pot to the bottom left, allowing Higgins to stick a red into the middle left. It goes down and O’Sullivan immediately concedes, shaking hands with his great rival before walking swiftly out of the theatre.
Higgins 65-8 O’Sullivan
He misses the black but the white is safe with Higgins 57 clear and 59 left on the table.
Higgins 65-8 0’Sullivan
The fourth last red goes down the bottom left but the cue ball kicks funnily and he is not optimally placed for the black.
Higgins 50-8 O’Sullivan
Six reds remain but five are grouped together just below the pink.
Higgins 37-8 O’Sullivan
Higgins remains on course but he is taking plenty of time over every shot, the pressure of the situation no doubt settling in.
Higgins 32-8 O’Sullivan
The Scot is indeed back in and gets himself swiftly 32-8 in front, though the reds are not entirely positioned in a perfect spot.
Higgins 16-8 O’Sullivan
And O’Sullivan nails it, follows with a black but his tracking is off for the next red, which rattles the bottom right pocket’s jaws. Higgins could be back in.
