John Higgins derailed old rival Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bid for a record eighth World Snooker Championship with an epic 13-12 win in the last 16 at the Crucible. 30 years on from their first meeting in Sheffield, Higgins prevailed in a deciding 25th frame after a see-saw battle of serious quality.
At one stage, the Scot trailed 9-4 on Sunday evening before reeling off six frames in succession to surge into the lead as O’Sullivan struggled. “The Rocket” hit back, though, and showed real character to force a decider after Higgins had moved to within a frame of victory.
O’Sullivan had a chance among the balls, too, but ran out of position and rattled the next red in the jaws, letting his opponent in to provide a half-century break that proved a match-winning contribution. The 50-year-old O'Sullivan had hoped to surpass Stephen Hendry as the outright most successful player in Crucible history; instead, Higgins will continue his hunt for a fifth world title in a quarter-final against either Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin.
Follow all of the latest from the Crucible in Sheffield with our live blog below:
Ronnie O'Sullian vs John Higgins LIVE
- John Higgins defeats Ronnie O'Sullivan in final-frame decider
- Higgins battles from 9-4 down to win 13-12 and advance to quarter-finals
- Hggins will take on Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin in last eight
Mark Selby slams ‘horrific’ Crucible table after World Snooker Championship exit
Monday 27 April 2026 19:33 , Flo CliffordMark Selby criticised the “horrific” state of the Crucible table after crashing out of the World Snooker Championship in a 13-11 defeat to China’s Wu Yize.
Selby branded his own performance “pathetic” and added: “I felt like the conditions were the worst I’ve experienced here at the World Championship, for sure.
“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.
“In my first game against Jak Jones I felt like the table was absolutely horrific. It was tough. I know they (the table-fitters) did the best job possible, but something needs to happen because it’s so inconsistent from one tournament to the next.”
Mark Selby slams ‘horrific’ Crucible table after World Snooker Championship exit
Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘realistic’ as John Higgins ends hopes of eighth world crown
Monday 27 April 2026 18:32 , Flo CliffordRonnie O’Sullivan revealed he had booked a flight back to his base in Ireland for Monday morning having been so convinced before his high-profile showdown with John Higgins that he was set to lose the match with a session to spare.
“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,” said O’Sullivan, who has played sporadically on the circuit this season.
“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. I was really shocked that I was able to make a game of it, to be honest with you.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘realistic’ as John Higgins ends hopes of eighth world crown
Last eight line-up
Monday 27 April 2026 17:18 , Alan SmithAnd that means Wu will face either Trump or Vafaei in the quarters, while Higgins awaits Wakelin or Robertson.
Zhao will face Murphy and Hawkins takes on Allen.
The remaining second-round ties will be completed tonight, starting from 7pm.
Wu goes through
Monday 27 April 2026 17:14 , Alan SmithThe 22-year-old from China has knocked out the four-time champion Selby, winning 13-11, and is into the last eight.
More from Higgins
Monday 27 April 2026 17:06 , Alan Smith“At times it was the best I've ever seen Ronnie hit the balls,” he, again, told the BBC.
“He was cueing it so well. I was intentionally opening the balls up playing my safety shots because he's better than me at safety, playing the flicks, so I was hoping he would miss a long one then it would sit for me.
"The breaks he made to make 12-12 were incredible. You are just sitting there and admiring it. I just felt if I could get in I would have a chance. It's only the second round - that's the way I was looking at it. A great match, but it's the second round. I need a rest but it's only one sleep and then right back into it."
While the dust settles on table one, across the divide the action continues. Wu now leads Selby 12-11, with the Jester from Leicester smashing his cue in frustration earlier on.
Higgins revels in 'brilliant' session
Monday 27 April 2026 16:32 , Alan Smith"I came to the party at last! That was brilliant. I wasn't too despondent after that first session,” he told BBC Two.
"I know my cue ball wasn't great and playing Ronnie, his cue ball is pinpoint and it can demoralise you, but I was 6-2 down and I told the family if I win the next two frames I had a chance. That was all I concentrated on.
"I came out last night and gave myself a chance. The table has recovered and played a lot better today as well. Ronnie plays with different chalk and that makes it difficult, and makes the pockets seem tighter than they appear to be."
O'Sullivan reacts
Monday 27 April 2026 16:24 , Alan Smith"John played well and deserved his win. He's got a chance of winning the championship if he keeps playing like that,” the Rocket tells the BBC.
Looking unsurprisingly downbeat, O’Sullivan adds: "I went into the pack and left myself a difficult red in that final frame, but I probably wasn't the best player anyway .
"I feel like I am enjoying my game and in been playing better this month than I have been for a few years but I just missed too many balls.
"There was pressure there and I got a big tight and maybe that was because I haven't played in those types of matches for a while."
Courage, determination and fortitude
Monday 27 April 2026 16:21 , Alan Smith“That was one of the best performances that John Higgins has ever had,” Ken Doherty concurs on TV. “He was outplayed in the first session. He dug in during that second session last night to give himself a chance today and wow did he take it.
“The snooker he produced today - the century breaks and the clearances - was courage, determination and fortitude.”
Among the best ever?
Monday 27 April 2026 16:16 , Alan SmithJohn Parrott, speaking on BBC, says: “That is one of the greatest sessions of snooker played in this place. Ronnie O'Sullivan had his chance, but for John Higgins that must be one of his greatest-ever victories.”
It’s hard to think of too many better.
A reminder that Higgins had been 9-4 down at one point last night. But he was gritty to make it 9-7 down overnight before going 11-10 clear. Some of his break building this afternoon must be considered among the very best of his career.
Higgins wins 13-2 - and 66-8 in the decider
Monday 27 April 2026 16:08 , Alan SmithAnd Higgins wins it! O’Sullivan plays a weird shot, an unconvincing pot to the bottom left, allowing Higgins to stick a red into the middle left. It goes down and O’Sullivan immediately concedes, shaking hands with his great rival before walking swiftly out of the theatre.
Higgins 65-8 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 16:06 , Alan SmithHe misses the black but the white is safe with Higgins 57 clear and 59 left on the table.
Higgins 65-8 0'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 16:05 , Alan SmithThe fourth last red goes down the bottom left but the cue ball kicks funnily and he is not optimally placed for the black.
Higgins 50-8 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 16:03 , Alan SmithSix reds remain but five are grouped together just below the pink.
Higgins 37-8 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 16:01 , Alan SmithHiggins remains on course but he is taking plenty of time over every shot, the pressure of the situation no doubt settling in.
Higgins 32-8 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 15:59 , Alan SmithThe Scot is indeed back in and gets himself swiftly 32-8 in front, though the reds are not entirely positioned in a perfect spot.
Higgins 16-8 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 15:57 , Alan SmithAnd O’Sullivan nails it, follows with a black but his tracking is off for the next red, which rattles the bottom right pocket’s jaws. Higgins could be back in.
Higgins 16-0 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 15:56 , Alan SmithIt had all been going so well but Higgins has now missed a red to the middle left. The white is in baulk but a red to the bottom right is on.
Higgins 8-0 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 15:55 , Alan SmithThe Wizard nails the red and is perfectly on the black.
Deciding frame underway
Monday 27 April 2026 15:53 , Alan SmithThe players bump fists before O’Sullivan breaks off for the final time, sending the cue ball behind the green but with one red to the bottom right possibly on.
O'Sullivan wins the 24th frame! Higgins 21-81 O'Sullivan - 12-12
Monday 27 April 2026 15:51 , Alan SmithAnd we’re heading to a decider. This is just brilliant viewing.
O’Sullivan’s break ends when running out of position on the final red but that does not matter.
Higgins 21-47 O'Sullivan - 12-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:49 , Alan SmithThe Rocket is motoring along here, the balls look set fair and, unsurprisingly, it looks like we may be approaching a deciding frame.
Higgins 21-8 O'Sullivan - 12-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:46 , Alan SmithO’Sullivan puts down a red - his first pot in 36 minutes - and follows up with a black but there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to breaking the cluster of reds.
Higgins 21-0 O'Sullivan - 12-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:45 , Alan SmithHe extends a lead in the frame but comes slightly out of position when slotting in a black, leaving himself with a long red to the top left. It misses by a reasonable amount and now O’Sullivan has a big, big chance.
Higgins 8-0 O'Sullivan - 12-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:43 , Alan SmithO’Sullivan misses a long red, once more offering Higgins a chance to get on the board. He’s up to 8-0 in the blink of an eye.
Higgins wins the 23rd frame! Higgins 88-0 O’Sullivan - 12-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:40 , Alan SmithHas Higgins ever played this well? He is one of the sport’s greats but this is immense. Frame secured thanks to a brilliant break, he eventually misses a red to the middle. He needs one more.
Higgins 22-0 O’Sullivan - 11-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:32 , Alan SmithBut now the Wizard is out of position and needs the long rest to cut in a brilliant red. He nails it and is now very much in place for yet another big visit.
Higgins 1-0 O’Sullivan - 11-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:28 , Alan SmithAfter a couple of minutes Higgins slots a long red and could well put up another decent score.
Higgins 0-0 O’Sullivan - 11-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:26 , Alan SmithFrame 23 gets going with some smart safety and nothing immediately on.
Higgins levels in frame 22! Higgins 118-0 O’Sullivan - 11-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:23 , Alan SmithThe Wizard pots an amazing long brown than has Dennis Taylor proclaiming it as shot of the tournament.
Eventually he completes a clearance of 118. This should go the distance.
Higgins 67-0 O’Sullivan - 10-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:19 , Alan SmithStephen Hendry, on BBC, has just described the standard of this session as “quite astonishing.”
And he is bang on. Higgins is clear in this frame and about to level the match, making it a best of three.
Higgins 12-0 O’Sullivan - 10-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:13 , Alan SmithNow Higgins is in among the balls and looks well set to level if he can develop the pack favourably – although the black is currently surrounded, meaning he must rely on the other colours.
Higgins 0-0 O'Sullivan - 10-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:08 , Alan SmithHiggins’ break leaves a long red on for O’Sullivan but he cannot convert and Higgins then chooses to play safe, leading the cue ball up to the baulk cushion.
O'Sullivan back in front! Higgins 4-93 O'Sullivan - 10-11
Monday 27 April 2026 15:05 , Alan SmithO’Sullivan is really motoring now. The pace of play is swift, his cueing is smooth and he has returned to the lead thanks to a really nice run of 93.
Higgins 4-35 O'Sullivan - 10-10
Monday 27 April 2026 15:01 , Alan SmithHiggins pots an improbable red and slots the green home but runs out of position, allowing O’Sullivan in and now he is building a break - up to 35 as we type with several reds well positioned.
We're back underway! Higgins 10-10 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 14:49 , Alan SmithWe’re back for the deciding five frames. It’s anybody’s guess what happens and only a fool would confidently make a prediction.
O’Sullivan breaks in frame 21.
Selby has pulled another back on the other table to make it 10-9 to Wu.
Mid-session interval - Higgins 10-10 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 14:32 , Alan SmithWe’ll be back on the baize in about 15 minutes.
O'Sullivan wins frame 20! Higgins 8-62 O'Sullivan - 10-10
Monday 27 April 2026 14:30 , Alan SmithThe rot has stopped.
Higgins makes a red but misses the black and concedes the frame. We’re heading to a best of five after the interval and you have to admire O’Sullivan’s character in bouncing back to level.
Higgins 7-62 O'Sullivan - 10-9
Monday 27 April 2026 14:28 , Alan SmithO’Sullivan, with the reds scattered messily, puts together an inventive run involving a tricky plant to make it 40-7, followed subsequently by a perfect pink.
But a canon off a green while potting a black two reds later sees the break end at 62, meaning Higgins requires a snooker to stop the match from returning to parity.
On the other table Wu is 10-8 up on Selby.
Higgins 7-0 O'Sullivan - 10-9
Monday 27 April 2026 14:15 , Alan SmithA long red gets Higgins off the mark and another red follow blue. But he then runs out of positioning on the black slightly so reverts to playing safe.
Frame 20 is the last before the mid-session interval and if O’Sullivan cannot stem the tide he could find himself in massive trouble.
Higgins wins frame 19! Higgins 128-0 O'Sullivan - 10-9
Monday 27 April 2026 14:09 , Alan SmithMake it six frames in a row and a back-to-back century break for Higgins.
This is delightful play and O’Sullivan can do little but sit aside with a grim expression on his face.
At 28-0 the Wizard detonates the pack of reds via potting the blue to the middle left and puts himself in prime position to kick on for a frame-winning visit and consecutive century.
It is magnificent potting with 15 reds, a dozen blacks and three blues before he gets most of the way through the colours, missing a tight pink to end up with 128.
Higgins 1-0 O'Sullivan - 9-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:58 , Alan SmithO’Sullivan is just not at it so far today. His break is loose, inviting Higgins to take on a red that he misses. O’Sullivan should then have an easy cut to the bottom right but it hits the jaws and comes out, allowing Higgins to pot it with the help of the rest. And as I type he is now lining up a black.
Higgins wins the 18th frame! Higgins 118-7 O'Sullivan - 9-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:54 , Alan SmithThis is steady and rather impressive from Higgins. His tracking has been off a couple of times - ending up dead straight on a blue and a pink with six and five reds on the table - but he is unfazed by the pressure shots and by the end has put together a break of 118.
From 9-4 down, the Scot is now level. We could be in for a very, very long afternoon.
Higgins 26-7 O'Sullivan - 8-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:45 , Alan SmithNow it’s Higgins’ turn to have a go - sending a red into the middle right, cutting a blue into the middle left before doing an alright job at breaking up the cluster of reds.
Another red, another blue that takes the cue ball up to the baulk cushion and all the way back down for a simple red in the bottom right.
Higgins, 13-7 up, then hesitates over whether to take on the green, brown or blue next. He opts for the latter, and pots it. That sees his options open up and, should he put together a run he is capable of, this match is about to become level.
Higgins 0-7 O'Sullivan - 8-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:39 , Alan SmithHiggins leaves an open but difficult red that O’Sullivan sinks to the bottom right. But he gets unlucky and cannot get on to a colour so takes the safe option.
Higgins 0-6 O'Sullivan - 8-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:37 , Alan SmithAfter some reasonable safety, O’Sullivan nips in to score six before running out of options and returning to baulk.
Higgins 0-0 O'Sullivan - 8-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:32 , Alan SmithThe Wizard breaks off in frame 18, momentum in his favour, but leaves a lone red for O’Sullivan to attack. He misses that but does not leave anything obvious on and Higgins will bring the cue ball back to baulk.
Higgins wins the 17th frame! Higgins 75-44 O'Sullivan - 8-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:30 , Alan SmithAnd Higgins makes hay from O’Sullivan’s unforced error. Again, his ball-tracking is not brilliant and having sunk the penultimate red he leaves himself too straight on the pink. From there he does really well to set himself up for the final red on the bottom cushion. A straightforward black follows, putting himself 17 ahead with only the colours to go, though he would have liked to have been better positioned for the yellow.
No matter, he sinks it with the aid of the rest and then makes light work of the green, brown and blue. He misses the pink but that is irrelevant and now there is only one in it.
Higgins 16-44 O'Sullivan - 7-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:23 , Alan SmithThat error allows O’Sullivan to put together a decent enough break. Although his third red was far from precise, his rhythm seemed to improve with every pot ... until his positioning from a black leaves a more difficult than anticipated red, which he cannot convert.
On the BBC’s coverage Dennis Taylor says that a new cloth had been put on the table overnight, which may explain a relatively tricky start.
Higgins 16-0 O'Sullivan - 7-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:16 , Alan SmithHiggins rolls in a red to the bottom left but then jaws the following pink to a middle pocket, allowing O’Sullivan in. It’s been a bit scrappy.
Higgins 15-0 O'Sullivan - 7-9
Monday 27 April 2026 13:15 , Alan SmithThe cueball is respotted and O’Sullivan misses by an even greater margin, hitting the pink rather than a cluster of reds.
His third attempt is short and while the fourth hits the reds, he has afforded Higgins a couple of decent options.
We're underway! Higgins 7-9 O'Sullivan
Monday 27 April 2026 13:13 , Alan SmithO’Sullivan breaks off but it’s not perfect and he allows Higgins to pot a long red into the bottom right as we watch. The Scot then rolls the cue ball behind the green, forcing his opponent into a foul and a miss.
Almost time
Monday 27 April 2026 13:03 , Alan SmithSeats are being taken, the players are about to be welcomed into the theatre and it could prove to be a thrilling afternoon of action.
A long-standing rivalry
Monday 27 April 2026 12:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt is 30 years since Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins first met at the Crucible, with the Scot squandering a strong position late on as “The Rocket” advanced to the semi-finals. It really is remarkable that the pair – and Mark Williams, too, of course – are still contending in the biggest tournaments.
Players slam ‘very disappointing’ announcement of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters cancellation
Monday 27 April 2026 12:45 , Flo CliffordFormer World Championship finalist Barry Hawkins has labelled the decision to suddenly cancel the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters “very disappointing”, with players blindsided by the announcement.
A 10-year deal for the Saudi Arabian tournament was announced in 2024 but it has been axed after just two editions.
The World Snooker Tour said: “Following constructive discussions between The Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom following the conclusion of the 2025 editions, it has been mutually agreed not to proceed with future editions of the World Pool Championship and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.”
Players slam ‘very disappointing’ news of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters cancellation
Who is Wu Yize? China’s ‘new superstar’ tipped by Ronnie O’Sullivan to win the World Snooker Championship
Monday 27 April 2026 12:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleZhao Xintong made his breakthrough last year; could Wu Yize be next? He’s nudged in front of Mark Selby as they prepare to resume in a little while. Lawrence Ostlere profiles the whizz-kid:
Who is Wu Yize? China’s ‘new superstar’ tipped by O’Sullivan to conquer snooker world
What's on the docket today?
Monday 27 April 2026 12:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleHere’s what is coming up at the Crucible today as four round of 16 encounters reach a conclusion:
13:00
John Higgins (5) 7-9 Ronnie O'Sullivan (12) *
Mark Selby (7) 7-9 Wu Yize (10) *
19:00
Chris Wakelin (13) 6-10 Neil Robertson (4) *
Hossein Vafaei 7-9 Judd Trump (2) *
O'Sullivan leads 41-35 in all-time head-to-head
Monday 27 April 2026 12:10 , Alan SmithBut if we are to break down the head-to-head between these two across various stages of competitions Higgins only has the edge in semi-finals, where he leads 9-5 according to CueTracker.
More pertinently, in last 16 meetings they are locked on 2-2 with O’Sullivan leading in first-round meetings, group play, quarter-finals and finals.
Threats, bets and guilty WhatsApps: Inside snooker’s Chinese match-fixing scandal – and how they got caught
Monday 27 April 2026 12:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThree years on from the news that rocked the snooker world, Lawrence Ostlere tells the story of the ringleaders behind an unprecedented scandal that saw 10 Chinese players banned from the game
Threats, bets and guilty WhatsApps: Inside snooker’s Chinese match-fixing scandal
Why Zhao Xintong is the man to finally break the ‘Crucible Curse’
Monday 27 April 2026 11:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne of those Ronnie O’Sullivan may have to get past is Zhao Xintong. The defending champion is into the last eight after a hard-fought victory over compatriot Ding Junhui, and could yet break the so-called “Crucible curse”. Luke Baker suggested as much before the tournament.
Why Zhao Xintong is the man to finally break the ‘Crucible Curse’
Higgins' last win against 'The Rocket'
Monday 27 April 2026 11:34 , Alan SmithEarly in last night’s second session it looked like Higgins’ race had been run but a decent start today will set him up nicely for a first won against O’Sullivan since 2022 - a 3-0 win in the Championship League.
The previous three meetings have gone the Essex man’s way - most recently a 4-0 victory at the World Masters in 2024.
The smart money appears on this encounter being a far more close run thing but let’s see how both begin the most eagerly-anticipated session of this year’s Crucible so far.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is 50 and still a genius – but can he conquer snooker’s new Chinese dynasty to win historic eighth crown?
Monday 27 April 2026 11:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleRonnie O’Sullivan still looks as good a break-builder as ever as he chases a record eighth Crucible crown. But can he conquer the next generation to make history? Lawrence Ostlere takes a look:
Ronnie O’Sullivan is still a genius at 50 – but can he win a historic eighth crown?
World Snooker Championship 2026: Results, schedule and how to watch every match
Monday 27 April 2026 11:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleNeed a refresher on every World Championship result so far and the schedule to come at the Crucible? We’ve got you covered:
World Snooker Championship 2026: Results, schedule and how to watch every match
Ronnie O’Sullivan frustrated as John Higgins battles back in tense Crucible clash
Monday 27 April 2026 11:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleRonnie O’Sullivan thumped the table in frustration as John Higgins reeled in the seven-time world snooker champion in an enthralling second session of their second round match at the Crucible on Sunday night.
O’Sullivan twice led by five frames and looked set to cruise towards the quarter-finals at the expense of the out-of-sorts Scot, before Higgins drew on his decades of top-level experience to end the evening just two adrift at 9-7.
A pivotal final frame of the session proved too much for O’Sullivan, who gave the cushion a painful rap with his knuckles after missing an early red, before Higgins edged over the line to finish much the happier of the two players.
Ronnie O’Sullivan frustrated as John Higgins battles back in tense Crucible clash
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs John Higgins LIVE
Monday 27 April 2026 09:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhere is this one going, then? It looked last night like Ronnie O’Sullivan was cruising into the last eight, but things are seldom that simple against John Higgins, and the wily Scot pegged his old rival back. Can he maintain momentum and set up a thrilling finale? They are back underway just after 1pm BST.
