The O'Sullivan-Higgins match is set for a thrilling finish

Breaking news from the tournament: O'Sullivan-Higgins match set for a thrilling finish Image source: Getty Images Image caption: John Higgins (left) and Ronnie O'Sullivan are playing their seventh match against each other at the Crucible. Both players won three of the first six frames By Michael Emons, sports journalist at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Published April 26, 2026, 1:47 p.m. BST Updated 12 minutes ago The World Championship last-16 match between Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins is set for a thrilling finish on Monday after the Scot won the last three frames of the second session to cut the deficit to just two. Seven-time Crucible champion O'Sullivan led 6-2 following Saturday's first session, and the match appeared to be over when he extended that lead to 9-4 in the best-of-13 match.

But fellow 'Class of 92' member Higgins, a four-time world champion himself, staged a dramatic comeback to leave O'Sullivan leading 9-7, needing just four more frames to secure victory. The 50-year-olds will play the final session of this thrilling match starting at 1:00 PM BST on Monday, with the match airing live on Two. "John has been incredible, and it’s incredible that he’s still in this match," said seven-time world champion and analyst Stephen Hendry.

Match Details

"Last night he really struggled for whatever reason. "Ronnie's play was outstanding, but John seemed really un-Higgins-like. Maybe it was a little bit of nerves, a bit of intimidation, but he has just battled to stay in this match.

Ronnie didn’t look like the same player." To play this video, you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video cannot be played. Figure caption: 'We can’t believe it' – Higgins’ foul shocks pundits, though he still wins the 14th frame. After an 83-point break by Higgins in the ninth frame, O’Sullivan won two in a row, thanks to runs of 116 and 80, to hold a commanding five-frame lead at 8-3.

Higgins won the 12th, but O'Sullivan's break of 91 left the Englishman leading 9-4. But the final three frames were very dramatic. Higgins looked in control of the 14th, with O'Sullivan needing a snooker to have any chance, which he then got, although he could not capitalize.

Comments and Expectations

Higgins took the 15th frame with a black-ball finish, and O'Sullivan then punched the table in frustration after missing a red early in the final frame of the night. His mood didn’t improve when he potted a long red but then saw the cue ball follow it into the same pocket; that foul proved crucial as Higgins took the frame to give himself some hope. O’Sullivan is fighting to reach the Crucible quarterfinals for the 24th time and is aiming for an eighth world title, which would be a record in the modern era.

He was watched by former Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes during his 10-2 win over Chinese debutant He Guoqiang, and this time, UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett and Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez were in attendance. They, along with the rest of the crowd at the Crucible, would have left thoroughly entertained.

Clubs and federations are closely monitoring this development. It is expected to yield significant implications for the future of the sport.