John Higgins (left) and Ronnie O’Sullivan are playing in their seventh match against each other at the Crucible. Both players won three of the first six meetings
The highly anticipated World Championship last-16 encounter between Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins is poised for a dramatic conclusion on Monday, following a remarkable comeback by Higgins, who secured the final three frames of the second session to narrow O’Sullivan’s lead to a mere two frames.
O’Sullivan, a seven-time Crucible champion, established a commanding 6-2 lead after Saturday’s initial session, and further extended it to 9-4 in the best-of-25 frames match, appearing to be on the cusp of victory.
However, Higgins, a fellow member of the esteemed ‘Class of 92’ and a four-time world champion himself, mounted a spirited fightback during an evening of intense competition, leaving O’Sullivan with a 9-7 advantage and needing only four more frames to secure a place in the next round.
The mounting pressure appeared to affect O’Sullivan in the session’s final frame, as he visibly expressed his frustration by striking the table after missing a crucial red.
“That is a clear indication of what this match means to Ronnie O’Sullivan,” noted Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion and BBC commentator. “He’s growing increasingly frustrated. He had a significant opportunity in the previous frame and failed to capitalize. Those knuckles will undoubtedly be feeling the impact.”
O’Sullivan and Higgins, both aged 50, are set to resume their captivating match in the final session, commencing at 13:00 BST on Monday, with live coverage on BBC Two.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan punches the table after missing red
“John’s performance has been remarkable, and his presence in this match is a testament to his resilience,” remarked Stephen Hendry, a seven-time world champion. “Last night [in Saturday’s first session], he struggled significantly for reasons unknown.”
“Ronnie’s play was exceptional, but John appeared uncharacteristically unlike himself. Perhaps it was a combination of nerves and intimidation, but he has battled tenaciously to remain in contention. Ronnie did not appear to be the same dominant player.”
Following an 83 break from Higgins in the ninth frame, O’Sullivan responded by winning two consecutive frames, fueled by breaks of 116 and 80, establishing a commanding five-frame lead at 8-3.
Higgins secured the 12th frame, but O’Sullivan’s break of 91 extended his lead to 9-4.
The final three frames were particularly dramatic. Higgins appeared to be in control of the 14th, with O’Sullivan requiring a snooker, which he subsequently achieved, although he was unable to capitalize.
Higgins claimed the 15th frame on a black-ball finish, followed by O’Sullivan’s frustrated strike on the table early in the final frame of the night.
His mood was further dampened when he potted a long red only to see the cue ball follow it into the same pocket, a costly foul that allowed Higgins to secure the frame and provide himself with renewed hope.
O’Sullivan is vying for a record 24th Crucible quarter-final appearance and an unprecedented eighth world title in the modern era.
He was observed by former Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes during his 10-2 first-round victory over Chinese debutant He Guoqiang, while UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett and Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez were also in attendance.
They, alongside the remainder of the Crucible crowd, would undoubtedly have been thoroughly entertained.
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‘We can’t believe it’ – Higgins foul shocks pundits, although he still wins 14th frame
Judd Trump is looking to reach the World Championship quarter-final for an 11th time
World number one Judd Trump holds a 9-7 advantage over Iran’s Hossein Vafaei with one session remaining.
The match was level at 4-4 after Saturday’s opening session, and Vafaei, ranked 32nd and the only qualifier to advance past the first round, won the first frame on Sunday, only to see Trump respond by taking the next two.
Breaks of 82 and 65 allowed Vafaei to regain the lead, but 2019 champion Trump secured the final three frames, compiling runs of 100, 74, and 94, to establish a two-frame lead heading into Monday’s final session (19:00).
Another former champion, Australian Neil Robertson, the 2010 victor, also carries a lead into Monday’s final session against England’s Chris Wakelin.
That match was also tied at 4-4 at the start of Sunday’s play, with world number three Robertson winning six of the eight frames, including a 101 break in the final frame, to take a 10-6 lead.
Four-time Crucible champion Mark Selby will need to overturn a 9-7 deficit if he is to advance to the quarter-finals against 22-year-old Chinese player Wu Yize, the youngest competitor remaining in the tournament.
Selby made an impressive start, compiling breaks of 123 and 124 to take a 2-0 lead, but world number 10 Wu responded strongly, although Selby secured a crucial final frame thanks to an 81 break.
That match is scheduled to conclude on Monday (13:00).
Zhao Xintong beat Mark Williams in last year’s final and has the title back in his sights
China’s reigning champion, Zhao Xintong, defeated compatriot Ding Junhui 13-9 in a high-quality encounter to secure his place in the 2026 World Championship quarter-finals.
Zhao, 29, commenced the final session with a 9-7 lead, although 39-year-old Ding, the first Chinese player to win a ranking event, narrowed the gap by winning a 46-minute opening frame on Sunday.
However, Zhao responded by winning the subsequent two frames to extend his lead to 11-8, before Ding claimed the 20th frame with a break of 76.
A break of 108 from Zhao, his third century of the match, brought him to the brink of victory, which he duly sealed in the following frame.
Zhao, who also recorded five half-centuries, is aiming to break the “Crucible Curse,” a phenomenon that has seen none of the previous 20 first-time winners of the World Championship in Sheffield successfully defend their title the following year.
He is now set to face 2005 champion Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals.
The interest in the match between Ding and Zhao was so significant in China that Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, suggested that “hundreds of millions” could have been watching.
“This was a very special match for us, one that everyone knows about and wants to keep an eye on,” said Zhao. “There was more pressure than before.”
“It was very different last year when I was a nobody, but now I don’t want to lose any match and just want to keep going.”
Reflecting on his upcoming quarter-final clash with Murphy, Zhao added: “When he won the World Championship, I was eight years old. I saw him play with Ding many times, and I know he’s very good and still plays very good snooker.”
“I will try my best. I’m far from my best.”
Ding, the 2016 runner-up, recorded eight breaks of at least 54 in the match but expressed his disappointment with his own performance.
“It was not good enough; I was a little bit disappointed in the first two sessions,” said Ding. “He [Zhao] is doing well, and he is improving every time. I think he is better than anyone.”
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