In a gripping contest at the World Snooker Championship, four-time champion John Higgins triumphed over Joe O’Connor with a score of 10-7, despite admitting he felt emotionally “drained.” This engaging match took place at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, a venue synonymous with snooker history. Higgins, who will soon celebrate his 50th birthday, demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming a 5-4 deficit from the morning session to take charge by 7-6 during the mid-session interval.
Higgins managed to edge out O’Connor, producing only one break that exceeded the score of 50—a stunning century break in the twelfth frame. His path to victory wasn’t straightforward, as he faced intense pressure when O’Connor had opportunities to secure the dramatic 15th frame. However, Higgins seized control after O’Connor faltered, winning the frame to go 8-7 ahead. He then solidified his lead with a remarkable break of 114 and subsequently added another half-century break, which ultimately secured his win.
This tournament had started with significant personal challenges for Higgins, as he faced the distressing news of his father-in-law’s serious illness just before the event commenced. When reflecting on the match, he shared his emotional experience with BBC Sport, stating, “I left my partner and I was in tears… Obviously, my father-in-law wasn’t great.” The weight of these emotions seemed to fuel his performance, with Higgins emphasizing that the day’s events were the most touching he had ever experienced on the snooker table.
Looking to the next round, Higgins is set to take on China’s Xiao Guodong, continuing his quest for another title. With 33 ranking event wins to his name, Higgins remains a formidable contender, despite the emotional and physical toll that the tournament has taken on him.
On another note, Mark Allen of Northern Ireland also made headlines by defeating China’s Fan Zhengyi 10-6, marking his advancement to the second round for the fifth consecutive time. Allen, who initially trailed 3-0, showed his tenacity by claiming victory with breaks of 88 and 102. An added layer to Allen’s competition is his determination to capture a world title, which would complete the prestigious Triple Crown set of victories, adding further intensity to his matches.
The dynamics of the tournament shifted dramatically with the fall of last year’s finalists. Both Kyren Wilson, the defending champion, and 2024 runner-up Jak Jones were eliminated in the first round, creating an opportunity for other players to shine. Zhao Xintong, another prominent name in the tournament, enjoyed a comfortable win over Jak Jones and is gearing up to confront fellow compatriot Lei Peifan.
Zhao’s recent performance was notable as it showcased his exceptional scoring ability, which could make him a tough competitor in future rounds. The former UK Championship winner discussed his aspirations following the end of his suspension over match-fixing allegations and expressed excitement about returning to the professional circuit.
Meanwhile, in Monday’s matches, Ding Junhui took a solid lead over Zak Surety. Although Surety struggled initially, he managed to rally after a mid-session break, limiting the damage as they headed into the final session.
As the first round progresses, the tournament is set to continue with a full schedule featuring some of snooker’s best talents, including the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump. With the coming matches, spectators are undoubtedly eager to see how the competition unfolds at such a prestigious championship, which is being covered extensively across various platforms, including BBC TV and BBC iPlayer. The excitement and unpredictability of the World Championship continue to engage snooker fans, promising thrilling moments in the days to come.