Ronnie O’Sullivan-John Higgins last-16 tie set for thrilling finish at World Snooker Championship

After Higgins’ 83-point lead in the ninth frame, O’Sullivan maintained his five-frame lead of 8-3 with two consecutive wins thanks to runs of 116 and 80.

Higgins finished 12th but O’Sullivan’s break of 91 left the Englishman 9-4 ahead.

But the last three shots were very dramatic. Higgins was in control of the 14th, O’Sullivan needed a snooker to have a chance but then failed to capitalise.

Higgins took the 15th with the black ball, while O’Sullivan punched the table in frustration after missing an early red in the final frame of the night.

His mood did not improve when he put in a long red, but saw the cue ball follow him into the same hole, this foul proving crucial as Higgins took the frame to give himself some hope.

O’Sullivan is bidding to reach the quarter-finals at the Crucible for the 24th time and is seeking an eighth world title, which would be a record in the modern era.

He was followed by former Manchester United player Paul Scholes as the Chinese debutant beat He Guoqiang 10-2, and this time he was joined by UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett and Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez.

They, along with the rest of the crowd at the Crucible, would leave thoroughly entertained.