Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Those in the media room have been looking through the records and these are the times when Ronnie O'Sullivan has lost a large number of frames in a row at the Crucible.

• Lost nine successive frames v Graeme Dott in the 2006 semi-finals from 8-7 up to 8-16 down (finished 11-17 to Dott)
• Lost nine successive frames v Zhao Xintong in the 2026 semi-final from 4-3 up to 4-12 down (finished 7-17 to Zhao)
• Lost seven successive frames v Luca Brecel in the 2023 quarter-final from 6-10 down to losing 10-13.
• Lost six successive frames v Mark Selby in the 2014 final from 10-5 up to 10-11 down (finished 14-18 to Selby)
• Lost six successive frames v John Higgins in the 2026 quarter-final from 9-4 up to 4-10 down.

However, obviously, you would be a fool to write O'Sullivan off. One thing is certain, there's no way John Higgins will be thinking of the finish line just yer.

Another thing that's certain, this match has been brilliant. What will be the next twists and turns?

Ronnie O'Sullivan finally has some time on the baize to try to reignite his game.

A promising break of 32 but the black is currently nestled in among some reds. Can he get it free?

Not sure Mark Selby is aware of what is going on in the match on the other table but he too is showing his battling qualities.

Selby edges a gritty frame 57-43 against Wu Yize to move back to within a frame of the Chinese player.

Tense stuff.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

Ronnie O'Sullivan was in complete control of this match but didn't put John Higgins away in a couple of frames last night. He dropped John a lifeline but how quick his mentality has changed. John was really struggling yesterday at times, but he's kept in the match by his grit and determination. It's a real lesson to players - you just never give up.

Some early safety from Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 20th frame, but he leaves John Higgins a long red which the Scot thwacks into the left-corner pocket.

O'Sullivan has barely been at the table today. It's been all Higgins.

Before this match, John Higgins spoke, with perfect memory recall 30 years on, of how his first match against Ronnie O'Sullivan ended in heartbreak.

With the pair 20 years old at the time, Higgins threw away a glorious chance to grab the win, with O'Sullivan winning 13-12 in their great World Championship quarter-final back in 1996.

The incident he was talking about is shown above, so have a watch and listen to some great commentary from Ted Lowe and Dennis Taylor.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

The Wizard of Wishaw is waving that magic wand! Back-to-back centuries and now he goes into the lead. Can you believe it?

The pink was a little tricky with the extender, but a break of 128 and the frame will more than satisfy John Higgins.

Incredibly from 9-4 down he is now 10-9 up. What a turnaround.

Number 10 buses and all that.

Back-to-back centuries for John Higgins and a possible 141 break is within his sights as he sets to work on clearing the colours.

Just the pink off its spot.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

That was John Higgins' first century break of the tournament so far in the previous frame - and what a time to make it. The way he hit the ball is the best he has hit it.

What a competitor he is. When he was 6-2 and 9-4 down he was on the canvass. He has refused to go away. An amazing scoreline to be 9-9.

John Higgins has really found his stride now.

He motors to a break of 66 to put himself within striking distance of taking a lead in the match for the first time.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

So, after a thrilling topsy-turvy two sessions and two frames, we are all square on table one at nine frames apiece.

We are now in effect, having a best-of-seven, first-to-four, clash with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

This is the seventh meeting between Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins and just like the previous six, with three wins apiece, it has provided great entertainment.

O'Sullivan won 13-12 in a memorable quarter-final back in 1996, before Higgins beat O'Sullivan 17-9 in the 1998 semi-finals on his way to his first title.

But the Rocket got his revenge, winning 18-14 in the 2001 final for his first success.

Higgins then gained 13-9 and 13-10 wins in the quarter-finals of 2007 and 2011 respectively, before O'Sullivan won their most recent Crucible tie, 17-11 in the 2022 semi-finals.

• To read how Higgins remembers in detail that first meeting 30 years ago, click here.

Speaking of battling. Mark Selby is not throwing in the towel either on table two.

The 'Jester from Leicester' has chalked up a break of 89 to claw a frame back against Wu Yize.

Selby is not going to give this match up easily.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

When it was 9-4 to Ronnie O'Sullivan it looked to be heading one way, but it is anyone's match now.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

What a start to the afternoon session for John Higgins.

The way he started this match in the first session he appeared on course for a heavy defeat, but never write off any of this Class of 92.

Timing is everything in sport and John Higgins is peaking just at the right time.

He draws level with Ronnie O'Sullivan thanks to a marvellous century break of 118.

Penny for the thoughts of The Rocket? He looked to have this match all sewn up yesterday.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Image source, Michael Emons

You don't win four world titles if you can't fight back from tough situations.

Wu Yize may have held a 9-7 lead overnight, now stretched to 10-7, but will already know that Mark Selby is one of the toughest battlers in the game.

You only have to go back to two of Selby's four Crucible successes to see that.

In the 2014 final, he trailed 10-5 to Ronnie O'Sullivan, before winning 18-14 and three years later produced an even better fightback, overturning a 10-4 deficit to John Higgins, before winning it 18-15.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

John Higgins has hung around this match like a bad smell - and Ronnie O'Sullivan just cannot get rid of him. Ronnie must be thinking 'I was all over in you that first session, how is this 9-8?'

Nip and tuck in the second frame of the afternoon before the table opens up for John Higgins and he goes about building a meaningful break.

Higgins reaches 26 before using an extender to pot a difficult-to-reach red into the right-corner pocket.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is pensive in his chair.