“Something special” – O’Sullivan & Higgins renew rivalry

Thirty years after their first clash at the Crucible, John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan are once again set to face off in the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship. The legendary duo, now both 50, have maintained their dominance over the decades, with Higgins boasting four titles and O’Sullivan seven. Their enduring rivalry, marked by high-stakes encounters, continues to captivate fans and pundits alike.

A defining moment in 1996

Their 1996 World Championship quarter-final remains etched in memory. Two young prodigies, 20 years old, collided in a dramatic showdown. Higgins, the Scottish player, had a 12-11 lead but faced a pivotal moment when he missed a crucial pink. O’Sullivan capitalized, clearing the table and securing the decider, ending Higgins’ run to the semi-finals. The match was described as a ‘slugfest,’ with both players pushing each other to their limits.

“That match will always stand out,” Higgins recalled. “I had the colours in position, a routine clearance. But I overhit the brown, messed up the angles, and then missed the pink. It felt like the world was on my shoulders.”

The night prior had been anything but routine for O’Sullivan. After assaulting a press officer, he faced a disciplinary hearing that could have cost him his place in the tournament. Higgins, meanwhile, was in his hotel, uncertain if he’d get a bye to the semi-finals. The uncertainty lingered until 1 a.m., when a phone call confirmed his fate: a showdown with O’Sullivan at 10 a.m.

“I was tossing and turning, wondering if I’d even make it to the next round,” Higgins said. “It was surreal how things unfolded. That night, everything hinged on a single shot.”

The 1996 encounter was a turning point in their careers. Higgins later claimed it might have shifted his timeline, as he noted it was one of his most painful losses. O’Sullivan, meanwhile, would go on to claim his first title in 2001, while Higgins finally triumphed in 1998. Their rivalry has since grown, with each meeting carrying the weight of history and the promise of more battles to come.

The legacy of a ‘Class of 92’ clash

Now, as the third member of snooker’s famed ‘Class of 92’—Mark Williams, 51—joins them in the last 16, the stage is set for a new chapter. O’Sullivan holds the record for the oldest world champion after his 2020 victory at 46, but Williams could challenge that if the tournament continues as expected. The 1996 match, though, remains a cornerstone of their storied careers, showcasing the raw talent and resilience that have defined their journeys.