Ronnie O’Sullivan v John Higgins LIVE: Old rivals battle for quarter-final place at World Snooker Championship

Early in last night’s second session it looked like Higgins’ race had been run but a decent start today will set him up nicely for a first won against O’Sullivan since 2022 – a 3-0 win in the Championship League.

The previous three meetings have gone the Essex man’s way – most recently a 4-0 victory at the World Masters in 2024.

The smart money appears on this encounter being a far more close run thing but let’s see how both begin the most eagerly-anticipated session of this year’s Crucible so far.

Ronnie O’Sullivan still looks as good a break-builder as ever as he chases a record eighth Crucible crown. But can he conquer the next generation to make history? Lawrence Ostlere takes a look:

Need a refresher on every World Championship result so far and the schedule to come at the Crucible? We’ve got you covered:

Ronnie O’Sullivan thumped the table in frustration as John Higgins reeled in the seven-time world snooker champion in an enthralling second session of their second round match at the Crucible on Sunday night.

O’Sullivan twice led by five frames and looked set to cruise towards the quarter-finals at the expense of the out-of-sorts Scot, before Higgins drew on his decades of top-level experience to end the evening just two adrift at 9-7.

A pivotal final frame of the session proved too much for O’Sullivan, who gave the cushion a painful rap with his knuckles after missing an early red, before Higgins edged over the line to finish much the happier of the two players.

Where is this one going, then? It looked last night like Ronnie O’Sullivan was cruising into the last eight, but things are seldom that simple against John Higgins, and the wily Scot pegged his old rival back. Can he maintain momentum and set up a thrilling finale? They are back underway just after 1pm BST.