John Higgins recovers to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in Crucible epic, but Judd Trump is eliminated

Four-time winner John Higgins produced a sensational 8-3 9-4 recovery to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-12, but world number one Judd Trump was eliminated on a thrilling day at the Crucible.

Trump lost 13-12 to Iranian Hossein Vafaei in the last 16 match at the World Championship on Monday evening.

Seven-time champion O’Sullivan was seeking an eighth title to set a new modern-era record and twice took a five-frame lead in Sunday’s second session.

However, Higgins won the last three frames on Sunday and maintained that form by taking the first three frames on Monday; O’Sullivan lost six frames in a row at the Crucible for only the fifth time.

In this high-quality thriller played in front of a captivated crowd, O’Sullivan won frames 20 and 21 to take an 11-10 lead.

Definitely in the match of the tournament and one of the best in 49 years at the Sheffield Theatre, Higgins won two consecutive frames to make one 12-11, but O’Sullivan’s break of 81 forced a decider.

Higgins had the first chance but missed the red cross at 16-0, giving O’Sullivan a lifeline as the England player could only score eight points and was unable to put the red in the pot.

The Scot then made a 49-point break to reach the match-winning frame and both players received a standing ovation when the tie ended.

The 50-year-olds include two members of snooker’s legendary ‘Class of ’92’ and 51-year-old Mark Williams; The trio have 14 world championships between them.

Higgins, who was champion in 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011, will now play against 2010 winner Neil Robertson, who defeated world number 13 Chris Wakelin 13-7.