World Snooker Championship: John Higgins beats Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-12 in final-frame decider to book place in quarter-finals
John Higgins fires three centuries on his way to a memorable win against Ronnie O'Sullivan to move into the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals; O'Sullivan: "It's a bit of new territory for me and I just have to be grateful for what I've got and build on it"
Last Updated: 27/04/26 5:48pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan's bid for a record-breaking eighth Crucible title was shattered in Sheffield as John Higgins capped a remarkable comeback with a 13-12 win to move into the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals.
O'Sullivan twice led by five frames but lost six frames on the bounce across the final two sessions, and Higgins fired three centuries on Monday before holding his nerve to get over the line in the decider and seal one of his most famous wins.
Stunned O'Sullivan had shown his frustration by thumping the table midway through their penultimate session on Sunday night, as his fellow 50-year-old belatedly stirred to eat into a 9-4 deficit and end the night just two frames adrift.
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O'Sullivan had the first chance to extend his lead on Monday but broke down on a mid-range red in the opening frame and Higgins replied in merciless fashion, taking the frame with a break of 58 then reeling off consecutive centuries to go ahead for the first time at 10-9.
Higgins' run of frame wins ended in the next as O'Sullivan responded with a coolly-dispatched break of 62 to haul level, then a brilliant 93 with the black out of commission suggested the favourite was back on course for victory.
But there was simply no stopping the Scot, who hit back with his third century of the session to level again at 11-11 and fired a break of 88 to move within a frame of victory.
O'Sullivan forced a decider with a break of 81, but Higgins was not to be denied.
The previous FIVE times O'Sullivan and Higgins clashed at the Crucible, whoever won became champion!
2026: Last 16 Higgins 13-12 O'Sullivan ?
2022: SF O'Sullivan 17-11 Higgins - O'Sullivan 🏆
2011: QF Higgins 13-10 O'Sullivan - Higgins 🏆
2007: QF Higgins 13-9 O'Sullivan - Higgins 🏆
2001: F O'Sullivan 18-14 Higgins - O'Sullivan 🏆
1998: SF Higgins 17-9 O'Sullivan - Higgins 🏆
1996: QF O'Sullivan 13-12 Higgins - Stephen Hendry 🏆
O'Sullivan: There was pressure out there and I got a bit tight
Ronnie O'Sullivan told BBC Sport: "John played well and deserved his win. He's got a chance of winning the championship if he keeps playing like he did in that session.
"I went into the pack and left myself a difficult red in that final frame, but I probably wasn't the best player over the match anyway.
"I feel like I am enjoying my game and in a better place this month than I have been for a few years, but I just missed too many key balls.
"There was pressure out there and I got a bit tight and maybe that was because I haven't won a tournament in two and a half years or competed in those types of matches for a while.
"It's a bit of new territory for me and I just have to be grateful for what I've got and build on it."
Higgins: A great match, but it's the second round
Higgins, who is the fifth seed at this year's tournament, won the last of his four world titles in 2011.
He will have the chance to end that run against either Chris Wakelin or Neil Robertson, with the best of 25 frames encounter due to start on Tuesday.
The Scot said: "I came to the party at last! That was brilliant. I wasn't too despondent after that first session.
"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."
Ronnie O’Sullivan: The GOAT
🏆 Seven-time World Champion
🏆 Eight-time UK Champion
🏆 Eight-time Masters Champion
🏆 41 Ranking Titles
⭐️ 1,320 Century Breaks
⭐️ 17 Maximum Breaks
⭐️ Highest Break: 153
⏳ Fastest Maximum Break in 5’08’’, unbeaten for 29 years
🐐 The Greatest of All Time
Higgins, who goes by the moniker 'The Wizard of Wishaw' added: "At times it was the best I've ever seen Ronnie hit the balls. 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."
