Emotional John Higgins ousts Joe O’Connor to reach Last 16 at The Crucible

Jonathan Davies in World Snooker Championship 22 April 2025

Left arrow

Shaun Murphy’s 2005 World Championship triumph: 20 Years On | Part One

Right arrow

Judd Trump v Zhou Yuelong live stream | World Snooker Championship preview

Higgins is into the last 16 at The Crucible for the 27th time (Every Second Media/Alamy Live News)

John Higgins overcame Joe O’Connor 10-7 on Monday to progress to the World Championship last 16, despite having been “the most emotional I have ever felt”.

The four-time Crucible king recovered from 5-3 down on Monday, winning seven of the last nine frames to book his place in the second round of snooker’s blue-riband event for the 27th time.

However, Higgins’ 31st appearance at The Crucible had been in doubt after his father-in-law suffered a heart attack last week, though he is thankfully now recovering at home.

The Wizard also spent time on Sunday with second son Oliver, who will soon be travelling to London to study.

And Higgins admitted his emotions had got the better of him heading into his clash with O’Connor.

“Today was the most emotional I have ever felt, going out to play, given everything over the last few days,” he said.

“There was a moment last night when I was sitting with my boy. It brought so many memories back, when I was sitting with my dad 20 years ago.

“This morning, on my way over, I was in tears, thinking about different things. I was totally drained. To get out [of the first session] 5-4 [behind] was a result because Joe was playing brilliant.

“I got back to my apartment and crawled into bed, and slept for two hours, which was the best sleep I have had in years. Tonight, I felt so much better.

“There were a few shots where I had a bit more inner belief and steel because I have won a couple of tournaments [this season]. In the last few years here, at pressure moments, I was faltering, but I stood up well.”

It was a repeat of last month’s World Open final, which Higgins won 9-6 to claim his first ranking title in four years – while he followed that up with his Tour Championship triumph a few months later.

The first six frames were exchanged – O’Connor losing the third on the black after going in-off – before the Leicester cueist took control towards the end of the morning session.

O’Connor, who defeated another four-time World champion in Mark Selby on debut last year, went close to making a 147, but broke down on 96 after missing a tricky 13th red while bridging over the blue with the spider.

A further contribution of 85 guaranteed him a lead heading into the evening, though Higgins stopped the rot before winning the first three frames when play resumed, with a break of 101 putting him 7-5 to the good.

The Leicester cueist responded to level at 7-7 but, despite gaining the snooker he needed on the pink in a 37-minute 15th frame, eventually lost it to fall behind once more.

Higgins did not look back from there, with breaks of 114 and 59 setting up a second-round clash with Xiao Guodong.

Mark Allen joined him in the last 16, following a 10-6 victory over Fan Zhengyi.

The Pistol led 5-4 overnight and began the second session with 88, before recovering from 59-5 down to snatch frame 11 on the black. He then took a close 12th, before a break of 102 moved him to the brink of victory.

Fan, seeking his first Crucible victory, stayed alive with 86 and 74 [from 57-0 down], but Allen got over the line with a 63.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong wrapped up a 10-4 win over 2024 Crucible finalist Jak Jones.

The Welshman, who trailed 7-2 overnight, made a promising start upon the resumption with breaks of 100 and 70 to close the gap to 7-4.

But former UK champion Zhao, who won four qualifying matches to seal his Crucible return, was clinical once more, with contributions of 70, 55 and 87 swiftly securing victory.

Elsewhere, 2016 finalist Ding Junhui established a 6-3 overnight lead against debutant Zak Surety.

The Dragon, who has lost his last four matches at The Crucible, had runs of 60 and 68 on the way to a 4-0 lead, while a further contribution of 73 put him in a strong position to progress to the last 16.

Ding’s compatriot Si Jiahui holds the same advantage over David Gilbert in the battle of the former semi-finalists.

World number 13 Si – appearing as a seed for the first time – hit breaks of 97 and 73 along the way against the Angry Farmer, who is making his seventh successive appearance.

WATCH THE WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP STREAMED LIVE HERE

18+ | Funded account required | Please Gamble Responsibly