John Higgins denies Ronnie O'Sullivan record eighth world title in Crucible thriller

Key facts

• John Higgins beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-12 in the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship.
• The match went to a deciding 25th frame after O'Sullivan forced a decider from 12-10 down.
• O'Sullivan had booked a flight back to Ireland for Monday morning, expecting to lose before the third session.
• Higgins will face either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin in the quarter-finals.
• O'Sullivan, 50, was seeking an eighth world title to surpass Stephen Hendry's record.
• Mark Selby criticised the 'horrific' Crucible table conditions after his 13-11 defeat to Wu Yize.

Higgins stages epic comeback to shatter O'Sullivan's record bid

John Higgins derailed Ronnie O'Sullivan's pursuit of a record eighth World Snooker Championship title with a dramatic 13-12 victory in the last 16 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The match, a deciding-frame thriller, marked the latest chapter in a rivalry that began 30 years ago. Higgins, trailing 9-4 on Sunday evening, reeled off six consecutive frames to seize the lead, only for O'Sullivan to force a decider after the Scot moved within a frame of victory. In the final frame, O'Sullivan had an opportunity among the balls but ran out of position and rattled a red in the jaws of the pocket. Higgins capitalised with a half-century break that proved the match-winning contribution, securing his place in the quarter-finals. O'Sullivan, at 50, had hoped to surpass Stephen Hendry as the most successful player in Crucible history; instead, Higgins continues his quest for a fifth world title.

O'Sullivan admits realistic expectations before the match

Ronnie O'Sullivan revealed after the defeat that he had booked a flight back to his base in Ireland for Monday morning, so convinced was he that he would not reach the third session. 'I've got to be honest with you, I had a flight booked home early this morning because I wasn't sure if I'd get to the third session before the match started,' O'Sullivan said. 'I was realistic about my chances. I haven't been in any big matches for two years. Playing the top boys in a real pressure situation now, I knew it was going to kind of expose me in some sort of way.' He added that he was 'really shocked' he was able to make a game of it, given his limited competitive play this season. The admission underscores the psychological toll of facing elite opponents after a prolonged absence from high-stakes matches. O'Sullivan has played sporadically on the circuit this season, and the defeat extends his drought in major tournaments.

Higgins' resilience and quality shine through

John Higgins, 49, demonstrated the resilience that has defined his career, turning a 9-4 deficit into a 13-12 triumph. The Scot's six-frame surge on Sunday evening showcased his tactical acumen and composure under pressure. O'Sullivan fought back to force a decider, but Higgins held his nerve in the final frame, producing a half-century break when it mattered most. The victory sets up a quarter-final clash against either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin, as Higgins aims for a fifth world title. His performance against O'Sullivan, one of the sport's greatest players, reaffirms his status as a formidable competitor at the Crucible, where he has enjoyed considerable success over three decades.

Selby slams 'horrific' table conditions after exit

Mark Selby criticised the condition of the Crucible table after his 13-11 defeat to China's Wu Yize in the last 16. Selby, a four-time world champion, branded his own performance 'pathetic' and described the table as 'horrific'. 'I felt like the conditions were the worst I've experienced here at the World Championship, for sure,' Selby said. 'It's not the reason I lost that match, but it's disappointing to come to a tournament that is the pinnacle of our sport and think the conditions are going to play really well and they're not.' Selby noted that the table was inconsistent from one tournament to the next, adding that 'something needs to happen' to address the issue. His comments came after his first-round match against Jak Jones, where he also felt the table was 'absolutely horrific'. The criticism adds to ongoing concerns about playing conditions at the Crucible, which has hosted the World Championship since 1977.

Quarter-final line-up takes shape

With Higgins advancing, the quarter-final bracket is now set. Higgins will face the winner of the match between Neil Robertson and Chris Wakelin. Meanwhile, Wu Yize, who defeated Selby, will meet either Judd Trump or Hossein Vafaei in the quarter-finals. The tournament continues at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with the remaining last-16 matches still to be completed. O'Sullivan's exit leaves the field open for other contenders, including defending champion Luca Brecel, who is still in the draw. The defeat marks a rare early exit for O'Sullivan, who has not won a world title since 2022 and has struggled for consistency this season.

A rivalry renewed and a legacy deferred

The Higgins-O'Sullivan clash was the 30th anniversary of their first meeting in Sheffield, and it delivered the drama that their storied rivalry deserves. For O'Sullivan, the loss postpones his attempt to claim an eighth world title and surpass Stephen Hendry's Crucible record. At 50, time is not on his side, but his ability to push Higgins to the limit despite limited match practice suggests he remains a threat. For Higgins, the victory is a statement of intent. Now 49, he is chasing a fifth world title that would cement his place among the game's all-time greats. The quarter-final will be a stern test, but having overcome O'Sullivan in such a dramatic fashion, Higgins will approach it with confidence. The Crucible, once again, has produced a classic.

The bottom line

• John Higgins defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-12 in a deciding frame to reach the World Championship quarter-finals.
• O'Sullivan had booked a flight home expecting to lose, admitting he was 'realistic' about his chances after limited play.
• Higgins fought back from 9-4 down, winning six frames in a row to take the lead before O'Sullivan forced a decider.
• Mark Selby criticised the Crucible table as 'horrific' after his 13-11 loss to Wu Yize.
• Higgins will face either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin in the quarter-finals; Wu Yize meets Trump or Vafaei.
• O'Sullivan's bid for a record eighth world title is over for another year, while Higgins continues his quest for a fifth.