{"id":8168,"date":"2026-04-26T22:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T22:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8168"},"modified":"2026-04-26T22:15:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T22:15:00","slug":"ronnie-osullivan-not-the-same-player-as-john-higgins-closes-in-at-the-crucible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8168","title":{"rendered":"Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘not the same player’ as John Higgins closes in at the Crucible"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Halo\t<\/div>
John Higgins has hauled in Ronnie O\u2019Sullivan in their second round clash (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stephen Hendry felt Ronnie O\u2019Sullivan was \u2018not the same player\u2019 in the second session of his clash with John Higgins at the Crucible, as the Scot closed the gap to 9-7 behind on Sunday night.<\/p>\n

The second session of their World Championship second round meeting began with O\u2019Sullivan in command at 6-2 ahead after an impressive performance on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Higgins showed he meant business with an 83 in the first frame of the evening, but then it looked very ominous for the Wizard of Wishaw as the Rocket knocked in breaks of 116 and 80 to re-establish his dominance.<\/p>\n

Hendry did not have high hopes for his compatriot at this stage, saying Higgins looked \u2018weak\u2019 but even when the Wizard doesn\u2019t have his best spells available to him, he has one of the greatest mindsets in the sport.<\/p>\n

The four-time world champion dug in, sharing the next two frames before claiming three tight ones on the spin, so O\u2019Sullivan ended the evening just 9-7 up.<\/p>\n

The 15th frame was pinched by Higgins from behind before incredible drama in the 16th as both spurned chances to get over the line and the Scot eventually did after O\u2019Sullivan went in-off on the final red.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tAre you snooker loopy?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

You’re in the right place. I’m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In my new newsletter, The Table, I’ll be analysing the biggest talking points, breaking down frames and crowning the week’s winners and losers every Monday.<\/p>\n

The World Championship is here, so there’s no better time to sign up.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
Phil has been reporting on snooker for over a decade, since working in World Snooker’s press office in 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

We will only know how big that moment will be on Monday afternoon, but 9-7 feels a hugely different scoreline to 10-6.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Sullivan did falter in those last three frames, with frustration setting in during the last of the evening as he missed a red and punched the rail.<\/p>\n

Hendry felt there was something missing in the Rocket on Sunday night, saying on the BBC: \u2018He\u2019s not looked the same player tonight, Ronnie. He\u2019s not had that look in his eye. <\/p>\n

\u2018Last night he just looked so intense, so focussed. Tonight, whether it\u2019s because he\u2019s got a lead, or for whatever reason\u2026but when we see Ronnie showing frustration, it\u2019s important that John punished him for that.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

Ronnie O’Sullivan shows his frustration after this miss at the Crucible \ud83d\udca5\ud83d\udcfa Watch the World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com\/VzPY7tg2lu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TNT Sports (@tntsports) April 26, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

Higgins wasn\u2019t producing the spectacular, but Hendry was impressed with the fight he showed, as he has always shown on the baize.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s not played anywhere near the snooker he\u2019s been playing this season but he\u2019s in this match, it\u2019s just incredible,\u2019 said the seven-time world champion.<\/p>\n

\u2018Last night I thougt John really struggled. Ronnie played outstanding and that\u2019s going to put anyone on the back foot, but John looked un-John Higgins-like. A little bit nervous, a little bit intimidated but tonight he\u2019s just battled, he\u2019s just battled to stay in this match.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Halo\t<\/div>
Higgins will be thrilled to be in touching distance without playing his best (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Higgins clings on, failing to find form, and O\u2019Sullivan throws a fist at the table even when in front, this was just the latest demonstration of the intense pressure of the Crucible.<\/p>\n

The pair are both 50 years old and have 11 World Championship titles between them, but no one is immune from wobbling on the Sheffield stage.<\/p>\n

\u2018It shows you, the amount of times these guys have played, the amount of titles they won, the amount of world titles, the pressure on any given night can be absolutely huge,\u2019 said Hendry.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Halo\t<\/div>
O\u2019Sullivan is bidding to win a record eighth world title (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The pair return to complete their contest at 1pm on Monday, with the first to 13 frames booking their spot in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

The winner will take on Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin in the last eight, with the Australian 10-6 up after their first two sessions.<\/p>\n

A late burst from Robertson on Sunday afternoon saw him knock in breaks of 65, 66 and 101 to take a very good lead heading into Monday.<\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Ding Junhui makes Zhao Xintong prediction after World Snooker Championship clash<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Barry Hawkins fumes at \u2018pathetic\u2019 loss of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Ronnie O\u2019Sullivan looking \u2018pretty evil\u2019 as World Championship challenge gains momentum<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tComment now<\/title>\n<\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\tComments<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source<\/span>
\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n
\n
\n

The Table<\/h4>\n

Stay ahead of snooker’s next big break with Metro’s resident expert Phil Haigh in his new weekly newsletter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n