World Snooker Championship 2025 recap - Luca Brecel sizzles to stun Ding Junhui as John Higgins edges Xiao Guodong in decider, Ronnie O'Sullivan leads

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Welcome back to our live updates from the 2025 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield. After Friday's 147 heroics from a defeated Mark Allen, Saturday's action saw John Higgins complete a 13-12 win over Xiao Guodong after they played to a finish on Saturday night. Meanwhile, snooker GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan leads Pang Junxu 6-2 and Luca Brecel is 7-1 up on Ding Junhui.

'He's creating so much energy' - Brecel pulls off three-ball plant against Ding

Video credit: TNT Sports

Luca Brecel invoked memories of his run to the world title two years ago with a devastating display of potting and break-building helping him open up a 7-1 lead over 2016 finalist Ding Junhui.

Ding began the match with a knock of 141, his highest at the Crucible, but only made 15 more points in the next seven frames as Brecel set off on a barrage of rapid powerhouse scoring.

Breaks of 121, 78, 55, 100, 88 and 89 helped Brecel earn a standing ovation and move six frames clear before they play their second session on Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm.

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Meanwhile, four-time champion John Higgins reached his 19th quarter-final at the event after holding himself together to edge out Xiao Guodong with a closing break of 75 in the decider.

Higgins looked set to close out the match 13-11, but missed a pink to right centre before an escape from a snooker saw him knock the pink into left middle off a red as Xiao cleared to the black to extend the contest.
As it was, Higgins dominated the decider and will face fellow 'Class of '92' member Mark Williams on Tuesday and Wednesday for a spot in the semi-finals after Williams completed a 13-10 win over Hossein Vafaei in his last-16 duel.

Latest results and World Championship schedule

Result: Higgins 13-12 Xiao

Saturday's last-16 latest

10:00

Lei Peifan 6-10 Zhao Xintong

John Higgins 13-12 Xiao Guodong

14:30

Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-2 Pang Junxu

Hossein Vafaei 10-13 Mark Williams

19:00

Si Jiahui 4-3 Ben Woollaston

Luca Brecel 7-1 Ding Junhui

Higgins 12-12 Xiao (119-0)

A classy closing break of 75 from Higgins, and he is through to the last eight for a 19th time to take on Mark Williams.

Higgins 12-12 Xiao (91-0)

This is quite a response from Higgins after losing that astonishing 24th frame.

Higgins 12-12 Xiao (69-0)

And in goes red followed by matchball green. Higgins is heading into the last eight to face Mark Williams. Phew! What a finish.

Higgins 12-12 Xiao (65-0)

Higgins look for a blue and one more red here...in goes blue..

Higgins 12-12 Xiao (59-0)

This has been brilliant from Higgins right under the cosh. Was asked the question, and he is giving us the answer. On the cusp of victory. Xiao with the safety blunder.

Higgins 12-12 Xiao (44-0)

Higgins reaching 36 before opting for the double, and he cans the red to the left-centre pocket. Brilliant. Back on black too. What is he thinking here? And he tries to put green safe. But doesn't get there. Was all about getting white on baulk cush.

Higgins 12-12 Xiao (21-0)

Great long red by John off the Xiao break-off as he bids to finally put this match away under intense pressure.

Si 4-2 Woollaston

A break of 65 in the fifth frame from Si, and he is 4-2 clear of Ben Woollaston.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (58-70)

Xiao with the clearance then on the colours. Kept his cool under pressure and this match is heading for a decider.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (58-43)

Would you believe it. Higgins escapes from a snooker, but ends up knocking in the pink to the left middle. And he has left a free ball. Unbelievable end to this frame.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (58-25)

Another tricky black, but in it goes and he lands nicely on a red on side rail. And it struggles in. Just needs one more colour. But he misses the pot on the pink to right middle. 33 the difference with 35 remaining. And Xiao with a fine safety shot in response.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (49-25)

What a chance then for John to get this match won. Three reds and colours to go for a place in the last eight. But not ideal on next black. In goes black.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (33-25)

Xiao wins the safety duel as Higgins is short of pace with return to baulk. But Xiao was not comfortable on the mid-range red. Yellow and brown under him. And can't make the pot.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (33-25)

Xiao refusing to take on a tough pot on a red across the table. A very good safety shot by John. Xiao responds with the dump shot behind the black. And plays it well.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (33-25)

Great long red by Xiao and he punches in the yellow too. Nice pot on a red followed by an excellent mid-range blue. Tough finding ideal position. Just safety to follow. And a good one too.

White and McManus on Brecel's brilliance

'Does not get any better' - McManus and White 'blown away' by Brecel performance

Video credit: TNT Sports

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (33-8)

Just needs to be mindful of his work out there. Black out in the open and so is the blue. But he gets a kick at the wrong moment. That is brutal. What a time to get a kick in potting a red. Out of position now. Just takes his medicine and rolls safe off black.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (24-8)

This looks very promising as John bids to see out this match without the need for a final frame.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (18-8)

Xiao with a decent pot on a black, but can't knock in a tough red to right centre. John stuns in red to green pocket and holds for the pink too.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (17-0)

Nice solid pot on a red by John from middle distance. Tricky red with rest will be the order of the day. Bangs it in. And comes back up for a baulk colour. In goes brown. Back down for a red next to black. But he misses the red.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao (6-0)

Higgins breaks off then chasing one moe frame with Xiao needing two frames. John looking for one big push for victory. Xiao goes for a long red. Nothing doing and he leaves Higgins an easy starter.

Saturday's last-16 latest

10:00

Lei Peifan 6-10 Zhao Xintong

John Higgins 13-12 Xiao Guodong

14:30

Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-2 Pang Junxu

Hossein Vafaei 10-13 Mark Williams

19:00

Si Jiahui 4-3 Ben Woollaston

Luca Brecel 7-1 Ding Junhui

Si 4-2 Woollaston

Latest: Brecel 7-1 Ding

For the record:

Luca Brecel: 121, 78, 55, 100, 88 and 89.

Ding Junhui: 141.

Ding made only 15 points after the 141 in the first frame.

Latest: Brecel 7-1 Ding

Brecel hits back against Ding with century in second frame

Video credit: TNT Sports

Brecel 6-1 Ding (89-0)

Doesn't get any better than that on a snooker table. Only 12 and half minutes an average frame time in speeding 7-1 ahead.

Brecel 6-1 Ding (88-0)

Brecel has played unbeatable snooker. The best session of this year's event. Snooker from the Gods.

Brecel 6-1 Ding (39-0)

Ding just can't buy a pot here. Long or short. Brecel is off and running again here in the eighth frame. Looks like this could be a 7-1 lead with Ding probably wondering what has hit him there.

Brecel 5-1 Ding (92-8)

An 88 break from Brecel to move 6-1 ahead this time. Ding has only rolled in 15 points in past six frames.

Brecel 5-1 Ding (47-8)

Ding left looking for some air out there. Just can't do anything right this evening it seems against this bloke.

Brecel 5-1 Ding (24-8)

Luca looking to pick out a plant on reds. And in goes the reds at pace. Suddenly back out for the black. This is quite majestic. Really is.

Brecel 4-1 Ding (67-0)

Relentless stuff from Brecel as he misses a mid-range red, but is already well over the winning line in this frame. Ding must wonder what is going on. Has been smashed up a bit tonight.

Brecel dazzles with 'exhibition snooker' break against Ding

Video credit: TNT Sports

Brecel 4-1 Ding (24-0)

Ding leaves the red hanging over a top pocket, but this time Luca speeds to 24 before missing a blue to right middle at pace. Luca also getting a run of the ball out there.

Brecel 4-1 Ding (0-0)

Ding sees a tough red along the top such elude him. No surprise he missed it. In need of an easy starter.

Si 2-1 Woollaston

A dominant display by Ben in the third frame to pick up his first frame of the match.

Brecel hits back against Ding with century in second frame

Video credit: TNT Sports

Brecel 3-1 Ding (100-7)

And another century of 100 exactly from Luca is just the job for the fans. 4-1 clear in this first sesson. Chance to build an overnight lead with three frames to come.

Brecel 3-1 Ding (70-3)

Making this game look incredibly easy out there. Heading for a 4-1 lead. Like an express train at the moment. Ding hasn't done much wrong, but you can't be missing simple balls in this company.

Brecel 3-1 Ding (46-3)

This is astonishing levels of play by Luca. Really is swashbuckling stuff. White ball on a piece of string. Applying massive pressure to Ding.

Brecel 3-1 Ding (6-3)

Four more frames to come in this match tonight. Stunning long red by Ding early in the fifth frame. Looking to locate some valuable table time. But the former Masters winner misses a mid-range red with rest. And Brecel rolls in red to left centre.

Brecel 3-1 Ding (0-0)

Ding opened with 141, but has not produced a point in the next three frames with Luca coming up with 121, 78 and 55 to race clear.

Si 2-0 Woollaston

Si Jiahui doubles his lead against the Leicester man. Early days, but a decent start for the young Chinese player.

Brecel 2-1 Ding (78-0)

Luca moving 67 clear with only 67 remaining, but quickly sorts out that issue with two brilliant doubles on reds to right centre. Fair to say Luca is motoring out there tonight. Crucible crowd are loving it.

Brecel 2-1 Ding (55-0)

A rare sight as Brecel is forced to run the white down behind the yellow after speeding to 55. Rapid exchange of scoring here. Most coming from Luca at the moment.

Brecel 2-1 Ding (27-0)

Ding drops another blunder early in the fourth frame as a red comes down to table to hang over a centre pocket. Luca quickly on move again with a couple of corking pots on a blue and red to baulk pockets.

Si 1-0 Woollaston

Former semi-finalist Si Jiahui dominates the first frame for a 1-0 advantage in this last-16 match.

Brecel 1-1 Ding (83-0)

This is seriously rapid stuff from both men. Safety not in vogue in this contest. This time Luca puts away the balls he needs in some style. Double attempt on a red doesn't drop, but a 78 from the 'Belgian Bullet' gets the job done every day of the week.

Brecel 1-1 Ding (12-0)

Luca up and running again in the third frame as he clips in a red along top cush, but will have to do his work at the other end of table. All the reds in the baulk end of the table in this contribution. All about picking them off in the right order.

Brecel 1-1 Ding (121-0)

121 from Luca after the 141 from Ding in the opening frame. Start as you mean to go on. Both men up to the pace of this table from the off.

Brecel 0-1 Ding (100-0)

Centuries all the rage here. Could be a few more ton in this match you suspect. Stunning final red to make the century with red down side rail using the rest.

Brecel 0-1 Ding (70-0)

Superb pot on a cutback black to more or less finalise the destination of this second frame. What a start to this last-16 encounter.

Brecel 0-1 Ding (63-0)

This looks like Brecel is about to fight fire with fire here. Chance to emulate Ding by getting frame wrapped up in one hit.

Brecel 0-1 Ding (12-0)

Ding goes for a long red, but off the potting angle at pace. And red flies into other reds. An easy starter for the Belgian player.

Brecel 0-0 Ding (0-141)

How about that then for starters? 141 break from Ding straight off the bar for a 1-0 lead against Luca. Talk about laying down a marker.

Brecel 0-0 Ding (0-80)

Highly impressive start to the night by Ding, who could complete a break of 146. Which is a rare bird indeed in snooker.

Brecel 0-0 Ding (0-48)

Ding with tight control of the white ball so far. That cue action was made to score points from close range.

Brecel 0-0 Ding (0-25)

First prod at these balls falls to Ding. Plenty of reds in the open for the 2016 finalist to attack in this opening frame.

Brecel 0-0 Ding (0-0)

Ding with a 7-1 lead in the career head-to-heads, but Brecel's solitary win came in their previous meeting in the last 16 of the Scottish Open before Christmas when he completed a 4-3 victory.

Welcome back to the Crucible

Has been some Saturday so far. Ronnie O'Sullivan with a 6-2 lead against Pang Junxu and Mark Williams completing a 13-10 lead over Hossein Vafaei in the last 16. Up at 7pm is Luca Brecel against Ding Junhui and Ben Woollaston facing Si Jiahui. Eight frames on each table tonight. First one to finish will see John Higgins resume 12-11 ahead of Xiao Guodong as they finish up for a quarter-final meeting with Williams. Boys on baize imminently.

'What a way to win it' - Williams wraps up victory over Vafaei in style with century

Video credit: TNT Sports

Saturday's last-16 latest

10:00

Lei Peifan 6-10 Zhao Xintong

John Higgins 12-11 Xiao Guodong

14:30

Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-2 Pang Junxu

Hossein Vafaei 10-13 Mark Williams

19:00

Si Jiahui 2-3 Ben Woollaston

Luca Brecel 7-1 Ding Junhui

Result: Williams 13-10 Vafaei

Williams 12-10 Vafaei (128-6)

A break of 115 from Williams. He is through to the quarter-finals. Fantastic from the three-time Crucible king.

Williams 12-10 Vafaei (100-6)

What a faulous closing break by Mark. Just stamping his authority on the victory march. Chance to finish with the ton.

Williams 12-10 Vafaei (61-6)

Williams with black back on spot now. Building a very decent lead in frame he needs for victory. Seven reds left on table. Looks like a golden chance to put this match to bed.

Williams 12-10 Vafaei (25-6)

Vafaei missing a shot with the rest on a red that you expected him to slot to yellow bag. Leaves the red for Mark. Chance to add a few more points despite pink and black being out of commission.

Williams 12-10 Vafaei (13-1)

Chance for Williams to make some progress, but he misses a tricky cut on a pink. Didn't expect that not to drop.

Williams 12-10 Vafaei (12-0)

Another vital frame falls to Williams, 70-20, who is now two up with a possible three to play here. Looking for one more frame to set up a quarter-final with John Higgins or Xiao Guodong. Higgins leading that 12-11 before they come back after this evening's matches to finish up.

Latest: O'Sullivan 6-2 Pang

Pang called for a foul after failing to nominate a colour

Video credit: TNT Sports

O'Sullivan 5-2 Pang (88-27)

Superb cut on final red by Ronnie and he is out for the brown too. Going to be a 6-2 lead after the first session. Back for eight more frames tomorrow afternoon.

O'Sullivan 5-2 Pang (63-27)

Ronnie slots a long red, but ends up draining white to left middle in holing the yellow. A lead of 36 points with a possible 35 remaining.

Williams 11-10 Vafaei

72 from Vafaei to close to 11-10 behind, but a lead of 36-4 for the Welshman in frame 22.

O'Sullivan 5-2 Pang (62-23)

Pang with a brilliant pink to a centre pocket. Develops the reds, but then misses the red. Bad error. Ronnie looking to seal the deal here. But can't get final two reds into play. Just safety to follow.

O'Sullivan 5-2 Pang (39-17)

Ronnie racing to 37 easily enough. Not an ideal table to win frame at this visit, and he misses the red with the rest. So frame right in the balance.

O'Sullivan 5-2 Pang (10-16)

But he misses an easy red and Ronnie returns to table looking to finish this session with a sixth frame of the day.

O'Sullivan 5-2 Pang (2-16)

Not sure how O'Sullivan has not dropped a yellow into the green bag. Somehow sticks in the jaws and the worse news is landing perfectly on the next red.

O'Sullivan 5-2 Pang (1-0)

O'Sullivan with the break-off shot in this eighth frame. Pang with chance of a long red, but butchers the attempt at the object ball.

O'Sullivan 5-1 Pang (59-75)

A closing knock of 32 from Pang to claim a frame that looked for all the world like Ronnie's. A missed red so costly among the balls. A 5-2 lead now with one frame to come in this session.

O'Sullivan 5-1 Pang (59-44)

Telling snooker from Pang pays dividends as O'Sullivan escapes from the snooker. But leaves long straight red and he tucks it away. Just the colours to come. Should be back to 5-2 now.

O'Sullivan 5-1 Pang (59-23)

Pang not giving up the ghost in this frame as he battle to keep in touch with Ronnie. Four reds left on deck.

O'Sullivan 5-1 Pang (59-16)

Pang penalised for failing to nominate a colour in trying to run safe. Seven points to Ronnie. Pang recovers to slam in a long red.

O'Sullivan 5-1 Pang (52-8)

Another brilliant recovery pot on a red down table to yellow bag. O'Sullivan on the move, but misses a straight red out of nowhere. Didn't see that coming.

O'Sullivan 5-1 Pang (31-0)

Another blunder by Pang and Ronnie bags a red down table to the green pocket. Excellent shot and he holds for the pink. Suddenly back in business at the business end.

O'Sullivan 4-1 Pang (78-33)

Pang hits the brown trying to escape from a snooker. Free ball awarded, but Pang has seen enough. Now a 5-1 lead.

Williams 11-9 Vafaei

74 break from Vafaei to close back to two behind at 11-9 before their mid-session interval.

O'Sullivan 4-1 Pang (74-33)

Ronnie with another superb knock of 68 before he lays a snooker and earns six foul points from his opponent, who does well to escape from another snooker. Pang needing two snookers now.

Pang opens account against O'Sullivan with century break

Video credit: TNT Sports

O'Sullivan 4-1 Pang (49-33)

Fabulous little shot on red to bring the other reds into play and suddenly Ronnie could win frame at this visit.

O'Sullivan 4-1 Pang (17-33)

Blue is clipped home to right centre, but Pang then misses a sitter of a red on 33. That is not what he wanted. What can O'Sullivan respond with here?

O'Sullivan 4-1 Pang (0-22)

Ronnie goes for a long red, but not quite on the potting angle. Pang presented with chance to get his nose in front for a second straight frame. Opens up reds off the black. Chance to continue his progress.

O'Sullivan 4-0 Pang (0-128)

In goes the yellow to complete a brilliant century. Flukes the pink for the break of 119. Not going to bother with the black. Back to 4-1 behind. Three more frames to come in this second session.

O'Sullivan 4-0 Pang (0-80)

Ronnie tried to knock in a plant on two reds. Didn't drop and he has spent the rest of the frame in his seat.

O'Sullivan 4-0 Pang (0-63)

Looks like he has come out fighting after the break. And this has been a solid break from the talented Chinese player.

O'Sullivan 4-0 Pang (0-55)

White ball doing plenty of yardage in this break. But Pang still at table as lead moves to 50. Not far from winning line.

O'Sullivan 4-0 Pang (0-43)

An excellent positional shot by Pang to pot a mid-range red and thread white through gaps on reds to land on black.

Williams 11-8 Vafaei

Big frame for Williams to win across the divide. Hossein had chances, but Mark pockets it on the black. Two frames away from the last eight.

O'Sullivan 4-0 Pang (0-16)

Another big chance for Pang to produce a sizeable break as he opens red off the pink. Reds all nicely split now. Chance to register his first frame of the day, but we've here before this afternoon.

Saturday's last-16 latest

10:00

Lei Peifan 6-10 Zhao Xintong

John Higgins 12-11 Xiao Guodong

14:30

Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-0 Pang Junxu

Hossein Vafaei 8-10 Mark Williams

19:00

Si Jiahui v Ben Woollaston

Luca Brecel v Ding Junhui

O'Sullivan 3-0 Pang (76-6)

Another very good run from the Rocket in of 63 frame four. And he is leading 4-0.

'You can’t play well every day' - O'Sullivan reflects on career

Video credit: TNT Sports

O'Sullivan 3-0 Pang (51-6)

Meanwhile, Ronnie looks on cusp of a 4-0 lead at the mid-session break. Pang can't get anything going out there and O'Sullivan is growing in confidence.

Williams 10-8 Vafaei

A break of 70 from Hossein sees him cut the gap on Willo back to two frames. Quite a frantic dash for the line in that one.

O'Sullivan 3-0 Pang (13-1)

Another early error by Pang, who sticks a red over left centre pocket, with O'Sullivan handed chance to compile some points with first poke at these balls in the fourth frame. But Ronnie loses white on 13 and can't cut in a tricky cutback thin red.

O'Sullivan 3-0 Pang (0-0)

Ronnie breaks off the fourth frame of eight this afternoon. Final frame before the mid-session interval.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Pang (88-34)

Error by Pang presents O'Sullivan with chance to put this frame to bed for a 3-0 lead. Not vintage stuff from either player, but it is all about winning tight frames. Which Ronnie is doing very well here.

Williams 10-7 Vafaei

Missed brown by the Iranian player enables Williams to sink brown, blue and pink to edge the frame for a 10-7 lead after 50 minutes or so. Needs three more to reach the last eight.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Pang (54-34)

34 from Pang before a mid-range red to yellow pocket eludes him. Doesn't leave red for Ronnie, who can't get white in behind blue. Down to final two reds.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Pang (50-31)

Very nice break here so far from Pang. Going along sharply with only three reds left on deck.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Pang (50-19)

Superb cut on a red by Pang to continue this break with pack of reds split wide open. Can he launch the counter attack? Every chance now.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Pang (50-3)

Ronnie out of position on 30, but comes up with a terrific recovery pot on a mid-range red. In goes a tough blue to right middle. Wiped its feet, but down it goes. Back in supreme position now. But again split on reds doesn't work out, and he misses a thin cut on a red on 50.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Pang (6-0)

Ronnie tries to slam home a long red, but rattles the jaws before Pang can't sink a tough red to top-right hand corner. Another chance offered up to Ronnie here as a mid-range red is drained.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Pang (91-25)

A superb break of 91 from Ronnie, who is suddenly 2-0 ahead in the race to 13. Brilliant from the snooker GOAT in scoring for fun.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Pang (74-25)

One missed plant on red by Pang, and he is going to find himself 2-0 adrift. Chance for Ronnie to produce a century into the bargain.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Pang (58-25)

Ronnie already on his way to a second frame here. Break races to 59 in the blink of an eye.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Pang (4-25)

Well, Pang tries to pick out the angle of a plant on two reds, but can't come up with the goods. Doesn't drop. Another chance goes missing for Pang on only 25 as Ronnie is handed an easy enough starter.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Pang (0-25)

Safety blunder by Ronnie and Pang handed another decent scoring chance to make some progress here. Plenty of reds in the open to weigh in with a biggie at this visit.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Pang (0-0)

Williams and Vafaei with a third re-rack in their 17th frame of the match, their first of their third session.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Pang (75-44)

A 58 break then from Ronnie. And he takes a fairly scrappy opener after Pang slipped up.

Saturday's last-16 latest

10:00

Lei Peifan 6-10 Zhao Xintong

John Higgins 12-11 Xiao Guodong

14:30

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-0 Pang Junxu

Hossein Vafaei 7-10 Mark Williams

19:00

Si Jiahui v Ben Woollaston

Luca Brecel v Ding Junhui

O'Sullivan 0-0 Pang (70-44)

O'Sullivan losing the white from green to brown. Can't tickle in the brown with rest, but lays snooker behind brown. Pang hits brown, but sticks it up. And Ronnie holes brown. A lead of 26 points for Ronnie with only 18 remaining. Should be a done deal now. Pang with three golden chances to take frame, but couldn't cash in and he pays the price.

O'Sullivan given huge ovation as he enters Crucible for second round

Video credit: TNT Sports

O'Sullivan 0-0 Pang (21-44)

Stunning long red by Ronnie. Gets a nice kiss off brown too. So chance for the seven-time world champion to get to work here as he delves into the reds with a lovely shot off brown. All opened up now.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Pang (8-44)

But only making his way to 44 after the second hit. Still early tension out there. A settling in period. Ronnie tries to screw back into the reds with left hand, but can't get them open. A nice safety is delivered by Ronnie.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Pang (0-29)

'The Rising Sun' looking to prove why he is a rising star of the old green baize. But he misses red with rest as first visit to table ends on only 22. O'Sullivan goes for a long red down table to green pocket. But nothing doing on that occasion. A second chance for Pang to put frame to bed.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Pang (0-7)

Nice thin cutback on a red from Pang to ensure he gets first prod at these balls in the first frame of eight to come this afternoon. Looking to lay down an early marker.

A full house in for this one

Could be quite the Saturday afternoon ahead. Nothing like Rocket Ronnie to get the juices flowing at the Crucible. Up against Pang Junxu, 'The Rising Sun', who comes out to 'Blaze of Glory' by Jon Bovi. And a packed house for the arrival of the snooker GOAT. Let's get the show on the road.

The return of the Rocket

Afternoon session

After the drama of Higgins v Xiao, Ronnie O'Sullivan kicks off his second round against Pang Junxu.

On the other table, Mark Williams and Hossein Vafaei play to a finish with the Welshman leading 9-7.

The action gets underway at 2:30pm UK time, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, while you can follow the action right here with our live blog.

Higgins 12-11 Xiao

Xiao pots down to the pink to reduce the deficit to one. And this will be the end of the match for now, with it set to continue late this evening.

**Higgins 12-10 Xiao (53-49*)**

Xiao has a tense shot on the last red but he rolls it home and then comes off two cushions to get on the yellow. It should be a formality now. Should...

**Higgins 12-10 Xiao (53-34*)**

It was the big shot from Higgins, he had a good angle off the black to knock one of the last two reds off the bottom cushion, but he misses the black! Now Xiao has a chance.

**Higgins 12-10 Xiao (41*-33)**

What drama! Higgins fouls failing to get out of a snooker and then, the second time, leaves the red over the right middle pocket. Xiao tries to pot it with swerve but misses it and now Higgins has a chance to go a long way to take the frame - and the match.

Higgins 12-10 Xiao (40-29)

Higgins so close to a long red, where he could barely squeeze the cue ball between blue and pink, but after wiping its feet, the red stays out. But then Xiao misses a mid-range red he should have potted and is lucky not to leave a pot on.

Higgins 12-10 Xiao (40-29)

End of break for Xiao as he failed to open up two reds below the pink.

**Higgins 12-10 Xiao (40-22*)**

A well-crafted break so far from Xiao. He has more control of the cue ball than Higgins today, but has been more likely to make a big error.

**Higgins 12-10 Xiao (40-1*)**

Very poor, and unsually wild, shot from Higgins, smacking a long red and missing by a mile, gives Xiao a real chance to build a score now.

Higgins 12-10 Xiao (40-0)

It has been tough going for Higgins, opting for tough pots rather than taking the chance to open reds up and the break comes to an end.

**Higgins 12-10 Xiao (8*-0)**

A fine long pot from Higgins gets him started again. He goes into the pack off the black and this time has a red go over the pocket so he can continue the break.

Higgins 12-10 Xiao

What an error! Xiao tries to stun behind the pink and black but pots the last red! He then misses the blue before conceding the frame.

Higgins 11-10 Xiao (65-24)

Xiao pots three reds and blacks, leaving the last red to use for snookers, but his positional shot from the black ruined a ready-made chance to play a snooker behind the pink.

Higgins 11-10 Xiao (65-0)

Higgins misses the pink which would have put the frame beyond doubt, so Xiao plays on needing two snookers.

**Higgins 11-10 Xiao (65*-0)**

You wouldn't say things are now easy but Higgins is inching towards the line. He dwells on a black for a long time, but eventually pots it and then puts away a red which leaves Xiao leaving snookers.

**Higgins 11-10 Xiao (25*-0)**

Higgins with a fine pot of a long red from beyond baulk slotting in a red from the left of the pack into the bottom right pocket to get him going again.

Higgins 11-10 Xiao (24-0)

That darn old pack scuppers Higgins again! He came into them at pace off the yellow but lodges against a couple by the pink spot and it is end of break.

**Higgins 11-10 Xiao (8*-0)**

Another loose shot from Xiao allows Higgins to have his hand on the table again. Can the Wizard of Wishaw retain the form from the previous frame?

Higgins 11-10 Xiao

The break ends at 86, but, most importantly, Higgins now stands just two frames from victory.

**Higgins 10-10 Xiao (65*-7)**

The frame will now belong to Higgins. The red on the bottom cushion will make a century difficult.

**Higgins 10-10 Xiao (51*-7)**

A half-century break! Glory be. The first since the opening frame of the morning.

**Higgins 10-10 Xiao (20*-7)**

A few confidence-boosting pots later and the table now looks pretty open for him.

**Higgins 10-10 Xiao (1*-7)**

The drought is over. Xiao leaves a red on the cushion by the bottom right-corner and Higgins puts it away.

Higgins 10-10 Xiao (0-7)

It is over half an hour since Higgins potted a ball, but Xiao is lucky not to leave him on after a poor safety.

Higgins 10-10 Xiao (0-7)

Higgins just misses a long pot into the bottom-right pocket and Xiao follows up with a good pot which just gets him on the pink, but that's where the break ends.

Higgins executes fine long pot

Higgins executes fine long plant – ‘Knew it was on’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Lei 5-9 Zhao

Zhao restores his four-frame advantage clearing up the last red and colours.

Higgins 10-10 Xiao

Xiao didn't get enough side on his pot of the blue, leaving himself a difficult pink but he just nudged it in. It is now a first-to-three contest after the, much-needed, mid-session interval.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (46-48)

An awful error from Higgins, over-cutting the brown and leaving it over the pocket. Xiao pots the brown but has nudged the pink nearer to the middle pocket cushion. He will need the pink.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (46-44)

Xiao with a good green into the left middle, but the brown along the cushion with the rest always looked difficult and it bounced off both jaws before lodging in the middle of the baulk cushion.

**Higgins 10-9 Xiao (46-41*)**

Xiao plays a great shot on the yellow to give himself a chance on the difficult green. The green wobbles in the jaws but he had played the percentages, so Higgins was snookered with the brown. What a pivotal frame this is - as it approaches the hour mark.

**Higgins 10-9 Xiao (46-34*)**

Xiao was able to put the red behind the black and Higgins has missed it with two attempts. This is when the miss rule seems cruel as it was hard to hit off two cushions. When he hits it, he rolls it over the pocket. With green and brown on the cushions it doesn't look a frame-winning chance thoigh.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (46-25)

Both miss long reds and Higgins, in particular, is luck not to leave the red on.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (46-25)

Even Higgins' doubling is off. He misses an attempt by so far he leaves the red safe though.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (46-25)

The war of attrition goes on. The two are locked in a safety exchange with one red on the table.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (45-25)

Treble from Xiao gets him back in play. The last two reds look devilishly difficult to get in the open though and he just settles for potting the blue and playing safe.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (45-19)

A Xiao miss gives Higgins another chance but he loses position once more. He is doing it in six-point installments at present.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (39-19)

Higgins leaves himself a long red and sees it bounce out. Xiao pots a good red but isn't on the black and has to play a snooker behind it.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (33-18)

An incredible miss from Xiao there. A regulation red into the bottom-right pocket and that could and should prove to be costly.

**Higgins 10-9 Xiao (33-13*)**

This is a dog fight! Higgins battling himself and his lack of cue ball control. He is forced into a difficult pot into the right middle, which he misses and Xiao is now at the table.

**Higgins 10-9 Xiao (28*-12)**

Higgins' second attempt at getting out of the snooker was good, leaving Xiao a tough long red, which he misses and leaves the Scotsman an easy pot on.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (27-12)

Xiao fails to get position from a pot once more, but his snooker forces an error from Higgins, cannoning into the pink.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (27-5)

Xiao pots a difficult red into the left middle, but a poor positional shot off the brown ends the break before it can start in earnest.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao (27-0)

Higgins' nemesis has been the pack today and another poor attempt to split them means the break comes to an abrupt end.

**Higgins 10-9 Xiao (4*-0)**

Xiao left a red over the pocket and though blocked by the blue, from in the yellow pocket jaws, Higgins found a route for a plant from the edge of the pack to the red - and is first amongst the balls again.

Higgins 10-9 Xiao

Higgins clears down to the pink to edge in front.

**Higgins 9-9 Xiao (42*-44)**

Xiao was millimetres from a snooker, but the small part of the yellow Higgins could hit was enough to send it into the bottom-left corner. A good pot with the rest on the green means the frame should be his now.

Higgins 9-9 Xiao (37-44)

Not for the first time in this match, Higgins has gone in-off. He cuts in the last red but the cue ball flies into the middle pocket. With the yellow on the side cushion it will not be a fatal move in the frame though.

Lei 4-7 Zhao

A break of 88 from Lei Peifan secured his first frame of the morning, to reduce Zhao's lead to three

Higgins 9-9 Xiao (37-40)

Xiao misses the last red with the rest but does not leave it on. This frame has some twists and turns to go yet.

**Higgins 9-9 Xiao (37-40*)**

A fine break this from Xiao. He has maneuvered around the difficult reds, but the yellow remains in a very difficult position.

We have now passed the seven-hour mark in this match.

**Higgins 9-9 Xiao (37-9*)**

Xiao ends a prolonged period of safety play with a good cut into the left middle and, while the table would be difficult to cler from here, he should be able to claw back Higgins' lead.

Higgins 9-9 Xiao (37-4)

Xiao misses an attempted plant and leaves a red over the bottom right corner pocket but he fails to get on either pink or black.

Higgins 9-9 Xiao (36-4)

A poor positional shot from Higgins ends the break.

**Higgins 9-9 Xiao (30*-4)**

Again not much luck going into the pack, but a good cut into the blind bottom left corner pocket keeps the break in progress.

Higgins 9-9 Xiao (6-4)

With awkward bridging, Xiao misses the black and Higgins pots a red, then gets a lucky kiss off the green, to set himself up on the blue and the chance is there for him to take control of the frame.

**Higgins 9-9 Xiao (0-4*)**

It seems like the pattern could continue as Xiao is first at the table again.

Higgins 9-9 Xiao

You get the feeling this could be the pattern all the way for the rest of the session.

Higgins 9-9 Xiao

You get the feeling this could be the pattern all the way for the rest of the session.

**Higgins 8-9 Xiao (68*-0)**

Once more, after Xiao goes ahead, Higgins responds by restoring parity.

**Higgins 8-9 Xiao (45*-0)**

Both miss long pots and Xiao's one leaves the red over the bottom left pocket and Higgins now has a great chance to put the frame beyond doubt.

Higgins 8-9 Xiao (44-0)

Again Higgins goes into the pack and once more he does not open them up. This time he has himself to blame for not going in with enough pace. A score of 39 will give him some confidence.

**Higgins 8-9 Xiao (25*-0)**

Higgins not getting a great deal of luck, as the pack does not open when he goes into it, but a good long pot into the green pocket keeps the break going.

**Higgins 8-9 Xiao (6*-0)**

Another good long pot from Higgins and now he should get a chance to build his first break of the morning.

Higgins 8-9 Xiao (5-0)

Higgins with a plant from under the baulk cushion gives him a chance to take control of the frame, but gets too close to the object-ball red when potting the brown and misses the ensuing pot, fortunately not leaving a pot for his opponent.

Lei 3-6 Zhao

On the other table Zhao Xintong has taken a fourth frame in succession to extend his lead over countryman Lei Peifan.

Higgins 8-9 Xiao

He doesn't get the century, but a break of 76 is more than enough to move Xiao ahead in the match once more.

**Higgins 8-8 Xiao (1-72*)**

A fantastic break from Xiao, showcasing his wonderful control of the cue ball around the black spot and the frame is now his.

**Higgins 8-8 Xiao (1-9*)**

A poor safety from Higgins, left Xiao a chance along the bottom cushion and, after potting and screwing back for the black, he now has a great chance to put a large dent in the frame.

Higgins 8-8 Xiao (1-1)

Xiao pots his first ball, with the rest into the yellow pocket, but leaves the cue ball between the baulk colours, so again, no chance to score.

Higgins 8-8 Xiao (1-0)

Xiao gets us underway and Higgins, after taking his time to wipe his cue and examine the pack, pots a very good long red but with no position plays to baulk.

This match is live on TNT Sports 3 and discovery+.

Welcome to Day Eight of the World Championship

And what a day we have in store. Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his second round match against Pang Junxu from 2.30pm, when Mark Williams and Hossein Vafaei will also bring their fascinating match to a conclusion.

First though, we see if the other member of the Class of 92, John Higgins can get past Xiao Guodong, as they play to a finish shortly, resuming at eight apiece. We will also keep an eye on the other side of the screen where the fancied Zhao Xintong is 5-3 up on Lei Peifan.