World Snooker Championship last-16 clash between Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins heading for a thrilling finish

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry said, “John has been incredible and it’s wonderful that he’s in this match.”

“Last night [in Saturday’s first session], for whatever reason, he really struggled.”

“Ronnie had an excellent game, but John looked really un-Higgins.

Maybe it was a bit of nervousness, a bit of intimidation, but he has struggled to stay in this match. Ronnie didn’t seem like that player.”

After a break of 83 from Higgins in the ninth frame, O’Sullivan made two consecutive wins thanks to runs of 116 and 80, maintaining a five-frame lead at 8–3.

Higgins won his 12th, but O’Sullivan’s break of 91 put the Englishman 9–4 ahead.

But the last three frames were extremely dramatic. Higgins looked in control on the 14th, with O’Sullivan needing a snooker to have any chance, which he got, although he could not take advantage.

Higgins finished 15th on a black-ball finish before O’Sullivan hit the table early in the final frame of the night.

His mood did not improve when he potted a long red but then saw the cue ball go into the same pocket; this foul proved crucial as Higgins took the frame to give himself some hope.

O’Sullivan is battling to make the Crucible quarter-finals for the 24th time and is seeking 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 first-round victory over Chinese newcomer He Guoqiang and this time, UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett and Liverpool defender Milos Kerkes were in attendance.

They, along with the rest of the Crucible crowd, must have left thoroughly entertained.