John Higgins staged a remarkable comeback from 8-3 and 9-4 behind to edge past Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-12 in a dramatic final-frame clash at the Crucible, securing a place in the World Championship quarter-finals.
O’Sullivan, chasing a record eighth modern-era world title, had built commanding five-frame leads twice during Sunday’s session. However, Higgins shifted momentum by taking the final three frames of the day and carried that surge into Monday, winning the next three as O’Sullivan lost six consecutive frames at the Crucible for only the fifth time in his career.
The match remained finely poised, with O’Sullivan responding to level the contest at 11-10 after claiming frames 20 and 21. In what is being hailed as one of the standout matches in the tournament’s history, Higgins moved to within one frame of victory at 12-11, only for O’Sullivan to force a decider with an 81 break.
In the deciding frame, Higgins initially missed a red after building a 16-0 lead, offering O’Sullivan a chance. But the Englishman failed to capitalize, scoring just eight points before missing again. Higgins then took control with a composed break of 49 to clinch the match, earning a standing ovation alongside his opponent.
Both players, aged 50, are part of snooker’s famed “Class of ’92,” alongside Mark Williams, and together they have amassed 14 world titles. Higgins, a four-time champion, will now face either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin in the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere, Wu Yize produced a major upset by defeating four-time champion Mark Selby 13-11. The 22-year-old, already a ranking event winner, is targeting a historic world title and could become the youngest champion since Stephen Hendry won his first at 21 in 1990.
Wu will meet either world number one Judd Trump or Hossein Vafaei in the quarter-finals, keeping alive the possibility of an all-Chinese final.
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