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 Monday on his way to a memorable win against Ronnie O'Sullivan to move into the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals
Last Updated: 27/04/26 4:35pm
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 🏆
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."
