World Snooker Championship 2026: John Higgins Felt ‘Inferior’ Yet Downs Ronnie O’Sullivan In Classic

John Higgins produced one of the finest comebacks of his career to edge past long-time rival Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-12 in a Crucible thriller, sealing his place in the 2026 World Snooker Championship.

The Scot found himself five frames behind on two occasions across the opening sessions, trailing 8-3 and later 9-4, as O’Sullivan looked in full flow early on.

Higgins, however sparked life into the contest late in the second session, reeling off three consecutive frames to reduce the deficit to 9-7 heading into Monday’s decisive session. 

That momentum carried over, as he extended his run to six straight frames to claim his first lead of the match at 10-9. From there, the contest ebbed and flowed before going all the way to a dramatic decider at 12-12.

Decider Drama Seals Famous Win

A crucial 49 break in the final frame proved decisive, with O’Sullivan eventually conceding when he required two snookers, the black awkwardly tied up and offering little hope of a comeback.

It marked a fitting finale to another chapter in one of snooker’s greatest rivalries.

Higgins: ‘He Played Amazing’

Post-match, Higgins was quick to emphasise the level O’Sullivan had produced, dismissing any notion that he had faced anything less than the Rocket at his best.

“Let me tell you, Ronnie played amazing. If he tells you any differently, I’ve played him for years, and I thought he was striking it great. It was really just at the end there, where the pressure was getting to the two of us. He played great, he really did,” Higgins said. 

‘I Felt Inferior At Times’

Despite the victory, Higgins admitted he struggled to live with O’Sullivan’s cue ball control during the early stages and was surprised to still be within touching distance.

“After the first two sessions, how I was only 9-7 down, I'll never know. Ronnie was by far the better player. His cue ball was amazing, and that’s what makes you feel inferior sometimes when his cue ball is so much better and I’m scrapping about.”

Chalk Debate And Playing Conditions

The conversation then turned to the conditions, with Higgins highlighting O’Sullivan’s use of traditional Triangle chalk, which can impact the table more than the widely used Taom alternative.

The traditional chalk noticeably left the table in a messy condition during the opening session.

“There is circumstances why that is. We all know he uses the other chalk and different things, that’s what makes the table play a little bit bouncy, and it’s all messy.” 

“Its tough to play against, but you’ve got to try and get that out of your mind.”

Fresh Cloth Levels The Playing Field

Higgins felt the third session offered a more neutral surface, with a new cloth reducing the effects of chalk marks and wear.

“Today it was a brand-new cloth, which helped me a great deal because I knew there was no chalk marks or indentations in the cloth. It made it more, I wouldn’t say a level playing field because we’re playing the same table, but he’s just got a better cueball control than any player in the game, probably even better than Zhao Xintong, so he can override that.”

‘Why Wouldn’t You Take The Advantage?’

Higgins was then asked whether he felt the use of traditional chalk gave an unfair advantage. 

While it’s something players have discussed, the Scot doesn’t see it that way, instead viewing it as O’Sullivan doing what top professionals do, finding small edges to gain an upper hand.

“I know us players speak about it, and why wouldn't you, why wouldn't you take the advantage when you have got a better cueball control than every other player? So why wouldn't you have that advantage?”

“If you get it like a level playing field, everybody’s using the same chalk, there’s no chalk marks, maybe it gives players more of a chance of beating them.”

“That’s what people do in every sport. They try to use a little advantage.”

“You’d have to ask Ronnie his feelings about using the chalk, but who knows,” he concluded.