John Higgins outlasts Ronnie O'Sullivan in epic to reach World Championship quarter-finals at the Crucible

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John Higgins emerged victorious from his Class of 92 battle with Ronnie O’Sullivan, as he secured a 13-12 success to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championship.

'What a contest between two all-time legends' - Higgins celebrates epic win over O'Sullivan

Video credit: TNT Sports

O’Sullivan led 6-2 after the first session and was 9-4 in front at one stage, only to see his lead eaten away by Higgins.

Higgins reeled off six frames on the spin to go 10-9 ahead only for O’Sullivan to hit back to lead 11-10.

It seemed inevitable that the match would go the distance, and so it proved as O’Sullivan took the 24th frame to force a decider.

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Both players had chances in the final frame, and it was Higgins who closed out the win to keep his bid for a fifth Crucible title on track.

For O’Sullivan, his push for a record eighth World Championship crown will have to wait until 2027, as his disjointed season ended on a low note.

O’Sullivan was by far the better player in the first session and for large chunks of the second, but a couple of lapses on Sunday night saw Higgins fight back from 9-4 down to trail 9-7 overnight.

Higgins found his stride on Monday, as he knocked in runs of 118, 128 and 111 to take a grip on the match.

In the decider, there were nerves on show from both players. Higgins compiled a break of 49 but, with the winning post in sight, he suffered a huge kick which left him out of position on a black that was effectively match ball.

'Oh my god' - Higgins suffers huge kick with winning line in sight

Video credit: TNT Sports

After seeing the cue ball pull up inches short of his intended position, Higgins let out an audible cry of ”oh my God”.

On commentary for TNT Sports, Dave Hendon said: ”Oh my word. He just needed to land on the black and he’s got a kick.”

Dominic Dale was alongside Hendon in the commentary box, and he added: ”I cannot remember, Dave, when I last saw a kick make that much difference.”

Higgins attempted the black with the long rest, but it did not drop as the drama ramped up.

But he was back at the table shortly afterwards following an O’Sullivan miss. Higgins knocked in a red to leave his opponent needing snookers - and it led to a concession from his fellow 50-year-old.

'What a shot' - O'Sullivan pots pink to develop black and reds

Video credit: TNT Sports

Victory over O’Sullivan took Higgins into the lead in their head-to-head encounters at the World Championship.

This was the seventh meeting of two greats of the sport at the Crucible, with Higgins now edging in front at 4-3.

Higgins last tasted victory in Sheffield in 2011, but his record at the Crucible in recent years has been good.

This is the fifth year in a row that he has reached at least the quarter-finals, and he will look to take down either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin to reach the last four.

Wakelin and Robertson play to a finish on Monday evening, with the Australian 10-6 in front, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the World Championship, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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