Higgins recovers to oust O'Sullivan in Crucible classic at the World Snooker Championship

Three decades on from their first meeting at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield - which O’Sullivan won 13-12 - Higgins recovered from five frames down to deny his fellow ‘Class of 92’ graduate and reach the last eight of the World Championship for the 20th time in his illustrious career.

In a contest that stretched over three days, O’Sullivan was in firm control after an impressive opening session that put him 6-2 up. During their second act on Sunday night, ‘The Rocket’ increased his advantage to 9-4, but Higgins crucially took the final three frames of the evening - one on the final black, another on the final pink - to open the door and put the tie back in the balance.

And whilst the 50-year-old Scot still trailed coming into the final session on Monday afternoon, momentum stayed with him as he pinched frame 17 with a counter of 59 after his opponent unexpectedly missed whilst nicely placed.

The four-time world champion then produced a golden spell of scoring, fashioning runs of 118 and 128 - his first tons of this year’s Championship - to move in front for the first time at 10-9 up.

Likely stunned having just lost the last six frames, O’Sullivan regrouped to stop the rot in frame 20 with a classy effort of 62 to eventually level.

On resumption after their final mid-session interval, the pendulum swung towards the record 41-time ranking event winner O’Sullivan as he produced another fine effort - this time a 93 to nudge back in front.

But in this rollercoaster epic, Higgins conjured up another scoring salvo with breaks of 111 and 88 to reach the hill first at 12-11.

The world number five got in first in frame 24, but missed a red into the yellow pocket whilst on 21. O’Sullivan - who hadn’t potted a ball for over half-an-hour - responded with an 81 to take this extraordinary tie all the way.

More drama was to come in the deciding frame. Higgins had the first opportunity having deposited from distance, but after not getting a too favourable cannon to the reds, he missed one. Moments later, O’Sullivan sank a long red, but he too did not get ideal position on a red after potting the black.

It resulted in him missing a fiddly red and leaving his rival in. Higgins went about trying to finish the match in a single visit, but one more big twist was to come as he got a kick when within one pot of leaving O’Sullivan needing penalty points.

Higgins still played what was essentially match ball black, but missed it. Now 57 points down with 59 on, O’Sullivan returned to the table and attempted a very difficult long red to get on the black, but failed. Subsequently, Higgins chipped a red into a middle pocket and O’Sullivan duly conceded.

The thrilling victory is Higgins’ first over O’Sullivan in ranking competition since 2021. He now leads their Crucible head-to-head record by four matches to three.

Next up for Higgins - who won the last of his four world crowns in 2011 - is a last eight meeting with either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin that will start on Tuesday afternoon.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Snooker Championship, visit our tournament information centre here.