Ronnie O'Sullivan opened the last‑16 clash at the Crucible with a 6‑2 advantage after Saturday’s first session, then stretched it to 9‑4 before John Higgins rallied. Higgins closed the deficit to just two frames, leaving the match at 9‑7 in O'Sullivan’s favour as Monday’s final session looms. With veterans having won multiple world titles, fans expect play and margins.

During the second session, O'Sullivan rattled off runs of 116 and 80 to pull ahead 8‑3, but Higgins struck back with a 91‑break of his own. The final three frames swung like a pendulum: Higgins captured the 14th on a snooker, the 15th with a black‑ball finish, and the 16th after a foul that let him take the frame today.

O'Sullivan, 50, eyes a record eighth world title and a spot in the quarter‑finals for the 24th time. Fans watched as former Manchester United star Paul Schleses and UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett filled the seats, adding star power to the drama. Higgins’ resilient comeback keeps the narrative alive, proving that experience still writes the script at the Crucible for fans.