Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump chase world No. 1 spot after Mark Allen exit, John Higgins extends 29-year record

Updated 01/05/2024 at 21:24 GMT

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump have the chance to end the season as world No. 1 following Mark Allen's dramatic 13-12 defeat to John Higgins on the final black in the last 16 on Monday night. O'Sullivan needs to claim the title to extend his stay at the summit, while Trump will take over at the top by reaching the final. Meanwhile, Higgins continues his remarkable run inside the top 16.

'King of Clearances' Higgins sinks remarkable double on way to victory

Ronnie O'Sullivan has moved up to fourth in the latest provisional world rankings after completing a 13-7 win over Ryan Day in the last 16 of the World Championship on Monday.

The snooker GOAT has topped the rankings since the Tour Championship in April 2022, but will see the £500,000 he banked for his seventh world title victory against Judd Trump two years ago come off his points total after the 48th World Championship finishes on bank holiday Monday.

His win over Day ensures him of at least £50,000 for reaching the quarter-finals enabling him to move 10,500 points above old rival Mark Selby, who lost 10-6 to Joe O'Connor in the first round at the Crucible.

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A win over 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham in the last eight on Wednesday will be enough to see O'Sullivan leapfrog Luca Brecel into third spot in the rankings by securing a further £50,000.

He could yet end the season as world No. 1 if he can claim a record eighth world title in Sheffield after provisional world No. 1 Mark Allen's 13-12 defeat to four-time champion John Higgins in an epic Crucible battle on Monday night.

Only an Allen run to the final would have denied O'Sullivan the chance to retain the sport's most coveted ranking, while world No. 2 Judd Trump would have needed to claim the title for a second time if Allen reached the final, with £300,000 the difference between winning and losing the sport's biggest match.

But Allen faces a sweat to see if he can become world No. 1 for the first time in his 19-year career after exiting the World Championship at the last-16 stage with Trump needing to reach the final to topple him from top spot.

Rare emotion from Higgins as he gets over the line in classic with Allen

O'Sullivan and Trump are seeded to meet in the semi-finals this year with Trump up against Welsh qualifier Jak Jones in his quarter-final on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Higgins has extended his remarkable stay inside the top 16 following his brilliant 71 final-frame clearance against Allen denying the Northern Irishman on the final black after he missed a red with the rest on 62.

"It's the best. It will live with me forever," he told reporters. "After everything that has gone before over the last two years, to stand up under the most intense pressure is a very proud moment for me. When I came to the table, I knew that the double was my only chance, and when that went in, I knew it was on.

"I felt calm and I just tried to stay positive, and keep pushing the cue through straight. This should do wonders for me because I know I can do it, and this is the hardest place to play."

O'Sullivan wraps up win over Day to reach quarter-finals

The Scotsman – world champion in 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011 – has been an ever-present among the game's elite since 1995, but the former world No. 1's remarkable 29-year run was under threat this season.

He began the tournament in 17th place (£253,500) on the provisional ranking list, but has moved up to 15th spot ahead of his meeting with 2020 finalist Kyren Wilson in the last eight.