World Snooker Championship: John Higgins beats Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-12 in final-frame decider to book place in quarter-finals
John Higgins recovers from 9-4 down to secure a memorable 13-12 win over Ronnie O'Sullivan to move into the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals; world No 1 Judd Trump dumped out by Hossein Vafaei in another clash that goes to final-frame decider
Last Updated: 27/04/26 11:48pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan's bid for a record-breaking eighth Crucible title was ended as John Higgins secured a remarkable comeback win at the World Snooker Championship, while world No 1 Judd Trump was dumped out by first-time quarter-finalist Hossein Vafaei.
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 to 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."
Higgins, who is the fifth seed at this year's tournament, 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."
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
Trump's wait for second world title continues with early exit
Trump was sent crashing out in the second round in Sheffield as Vafaei clinched a famous victory via a final frame decider on Monday night.
Similar to Higgins, Vafaei reeled in a 9-7 overnight deficit and then turned on the style when it mattered as breaks of 106 and 91 edged him over the line.
The wait for a second world title continues for Trump, who squandered a hatful of chances, including a 25-point lead in the decider, when he had looked a heavy favourite.
"It was a disappointing session tonight," Trump said. "I think I struggled a bit but from 11-10 down I got going and I had great chance in the last, but I ran out of position and that sums up my season really.
"I've had good chances throughout the whole season and just not taken them. It hurts but I had my chance and I've got nothing to be angry about. I just wasn't good enough."
Following his win, Vafaei said: "I was born for this kind of situation.
"I was enjoying every moment of it. If I don't take this kind of chance, I will never become world champion. Every day the Crucible trophy is living in my head rent free."
Vafaei will next face China's rising star Wu Yize, who also contributed to a day of upsets by sinking four-time champion Mark Selby 13-11.
Afterwards, Selby criticised the "horrific" state of the Crucible table and branded his own performance as "pathetic".
"I felt like the conditions were the worst I've experienced here at the World Championship, for sure," he said.
"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."
Former champion Neil Robertson completed the line-up for the last eight after completing a 13-7 win over Chris Wakelin.
