SHEFFIELD — Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bid for a record-breaking eighth World Snooker Championship title ended in heartbreak Monday when John Higgins completed a stunning comeback to win 13-12 in their last-16 clash at the Crucible Theatre. But the real shock came after the match: O’Sullivan revealed he had already booked a flight home before the final session, admitting he was “really surprised” Higgins fought back from 9-4 down to claim victory.

The Collapse: How O’Sullivan Blew a 9-4 Lead

O’Sullivan entered Monday’s final session with what looked like an unassailable 9-4 advantage, needing just four more frames to advance to the quarterfinals. But Higgins, a four-time world champion himself, produced one of the great Crucible fightbacks, winning six of the next eight frames to take a 12-11 lead. O’Sullivan briefly steadied the ship with a 93 break to level at 12-12, but Higgins held his nerve in the decider, sinking a crucial long red before clearing the table to seal the win.

The turning point came in frame 18. O’Sullivan, leading 10-9, had a clear chance to extend his lead but missed a mid-range red. Higgins capitalized with a break of 58, then followed up with back-to-back centuries (102 and 114) to take the lead for the first time in the match. O’Sullivan’s frustration boiled over during the second session on Sunday night, when he punched the table after missing a straightforward pot—a rare display of emotion from the usually ice-cool seven-time champion.

“That is exactly what it means to Ronnie O’Sullivan. He’s getting frustrated. He had a great chance in the previous frame and didn’t convert. Those knuckles will be sore, let me tell you.”

Ken Doherty, 1997 World Snooker Champion and BBC commentator

O’Sullivan’s Stunning Admission: “I Had Already Booked My Flight”

In a post-match interview with Dutch outlet NU.nl, O’Sullivan dropped a bombshell: he had already booked a flight home before the final session, assuming the match was all but over. “I was really surprised,” O’Sullivan said. “I thought it was done at 9-4. I had already booked my flight. I didn’t expect John to come back like that.”

The admission underscores just how dominant O’Sullivan had been in the early stages of the match. On Saturday, he raced to a 6-2 lead after the first session, producing a level of play that left even his fellow “Class of ’92” members in awe. Stephen Hendry, a seven-time world champion and fellow BBC commentator, remarked: “Ronnie’s play was outstanding, but John seemed really un-Higgins like. Maybe it was a little bit of nerves, a bit of intimidation.”

Higgins, although, refused to be written off. “Last night [Saturday], I really struggled for whatever reason,” he said. “But I just kept battling. Ronnie didn’t glance the same player tonight [Sunday], and I managed to stay in the match.” His resilience paid off in spectacular fashion.

Key Moments That Decided the Match

• Frame 10 (O’Sullivan 9-4): O’Sullivan misses a mid-range red, allowing Higgins to take the frame with a 58 break.
• Frames 11-12 (O’Sullivan 9-6): Higgins reels off consecutive centuries (102 and 114) to narrow the gap to 9-7.
• Frame 18 (O’Sullivan 10-9): O’Sullivan misses another crucial red, and Higgins responds with a 58 break to take the lead for the first time at 10-9.
• Frame 25 (12-12): O’Sullivan levels the match with a 93 break, but Higgins holds his nerve in the decider.

What This Loss Means for O’Sullivan’s Legacy

O’Sullivan, 50, was chasing a record eighth Crucible title, which would have broken the tie with Stephen Hendry for the most world championships in the modern era. His exit marks the end of another frustrating campaign at the Crucible, where he has not lifted the trophy since 2022. Despite his unparalleled talent—he holds the record for the most ranking titles (40) and century breaks (1,250) in snooker history—O’Sullivan’s inability to convert dominant positions into victories has become a recurring theme in recent years.

Higgins, also 50, moves into the quarterfinals, where he will face either Mark Selby or Kyren Wilson. The victory is a reminder that the Scot, a four-time world champion, remains a force to be reckoned with, even in the twilight of his career. “John has been incredible,” Hendry said. “It is incredible he is in this match.”

Reaction from the Snooker World

The snooker community erupted on social media after the match, with fans and players alike hailing Higgins’ comeback as one of the greatest in Crucible history. Former world champion Jimmy White called it “an all-time classic,” while current top-ranked player Judd Trump tweeted: “Unbelievable from John. That’s why he’s a legend.”

Unbelievable from John. That’s why he’s a legend. #snooker #Crucible

— Judd Trump (@juddtrump) April 27, 2026

What’s Next for O’Sullivan and Higgins?

For O’Sullivan, the focus now shifts to the next ranking event, the Tour Championship in May, where he will look to bounce back from this disappointment. Despite the loss, he remains the bookmakers’ favorite to win the event, given his track record in shorter formats.

Higgins, meanwhile, will face either Mark Selby or Kyren Wilson in the quarterfinals, with the match scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 30, at 13:00 BST (12:00 UTC). The Scot will be riding high on confidence after his epic victory, but he knows the job is far from done. “I’ve got to keep going,” Higgins said. “The quarterfinals are a different beast, and I require to be at my best.”

Key Takeaways

• John Higgins completed a stunning comeback from 9-4 down to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-12 in the last-16 of the World Snooker Championship.
• O’Sullivan admitted he had already booked a flight home before the final session, assuming the match was over.
• Higgins produced back-to-back centuries (102 and 114) to take the lead for the first time in the match.
• O’Sullivan’s loss ends his bid for a record eighth Crucible title, while Higgins advances to the quarterfinals.
• The match is being hailed as one of the greatest in Crucible history, with fans and players praising Higgins’ resilience.

How to Follow the Rest of the Championship

The World Snooker Championship continues at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Fans can watch live coverage on BBC Two (UK) and Eurosport (Europe). For real-time updates, follow the official World Snooker Twitter account.