World Snooker Championship LIVE - John Higgins outlasts Mark Allen in epic tussle, Stuart Bingham beats Jack Lisowski

ByJonathan Davies

Updated 29/04/2024 at 22:08 GMT

Welcome back to our live text coverage of the World Snooker Championship with another huge day headlined by Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Crucible Theatre. The Rocket resumed his encounter with Ryan Day in the afternoon session in Sheffield, clinching another impressive victory. In the evening session, John Higgins takes on a fellow seed in Mark Allen.

'Kick!' - O'Sullivan curses his luck after bad miss against Day

WHAT A NIGHT

That's just about it for a remarkable night of high drama at the Crucible. The quarter-final line-up is now set.

Snooker

When does snooker GOAT O'Sullivan return to action?

09/05/2024 at 08:52

David Gilbert v Stephen Maguire
Kyren Wilson v John Higgins
Judd Trump v Jak Jones
Stuart Bingham v Ronnie O'Sullivan

The great thing is, we can do it all over again tomorrow!

Make sure you join us at 10am BST for the first of the quarter-final sessions. Until then, goodnight!

WHAT. A. CLEARANCE.

Check out a remarkable ending to a remarkable match, with John Higgins doing a trademark John Higgins.

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

Result: Lisowski 11-13 Bingham

Across the arena, Stuart Bingham has wrapped up a 13-11 victory over Jack Lisowski to complete the quarter-final line-up.

He will play Ronnie O'Sullivan in the last eight.

Result: Allen 12-13 Higgins

John Higgins produces a trademark 71 clearance from 62-0 down to snatch frame and match on the black!

He snatches a remarkable 13-12 victory over Mark Allen, who showed his opponent great sportsmanship as they embraced.

Higgins holds his arms aloft in disbelief, as he sets up a last-eight clash with Kyren Wilson.

With your World Championship campaign and top-16 status on the line, that was absolutely magnificent!

HIGGINS HAS STOLEN IT

Just staggering!!!

Allen 12-12 Higgins (62-44)

He's on the colours after a stunning pot on the final red.

Can he?

Allen 12-12 Higgins (62-31)

A potential Higgins counter is on after he produces a brilliant double to the right centre.

We are getting vibes of that 64 clearance against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 2006 Masters final.

Allen 12-12 Higgins (62-0)

But he cannot convert this opportunity after missing a red to the left corner with the rest.

Allen 12-12 Higgins (40-0)

The Pistol is looking good on 40 and counting.

He is just a few pots away from victory...

Allen 12-12 Higgins (1-0)

First chance for Allen, who knocks in a plant near the black spot after Higgins misses a long red to the right corner.

What can he make of this?

Decider: Allen 12-12 Higgins

Just wow!

Higgins drops a tight pink into the left centre, and we're going all the way here.

Don't go anywhere!

Allen 12-11 Higgins (41-37)

Allen cannot quite cut a tight green to the top-left corner and leaves it over the opposite top corner.

Higgins has a great chance to force a decider, but he potentially faces a tricky pink.

Allen 12-11 Higgins (41-37)

We are down to the last five colours and there are just four points in it.

This is tense...

Fluke or deliberate? Astonishing Allen pot lights up Crucible as Higgins clash goes distance

Lisowski 11-12 Bingham

An incredible steal by Bingham, who overturns a deficit of 50-plus points to snatch frame 23 on the black.

The 2015 world champion is back in front, and that has hurt Lisowski.

Allen 12-11 Higgins (29-23)

Allen edges his nose ahead, but there is still plenty of snooker to be played with the three remaining reds all safe.

The green, pink and black are also tied up.

Allen 12-11 Higgins (13-23)

Following a lengthy safety battle, Allen knocks in a long red and does well to generate position on the brown.

The Pistol has work to do, but this is a chance to secure frame and match.

Allen 12-11 Higgins (0-22)

Slightly under-hitting the cue-ball when going in and out of baulk from the blue, Higgins misses a red to the right corner with the rest.

However, he has not left anything on for Allen.

Allen 12-11 Higgins (0-10)

The four-time World champion crunches in a thumping long red and has the first opportunity in this frame.

Can he force a decider?

Allen 12-11 Higgins

The Pistol knocks in a wonderful long yellow, doubles the green, and clears to the pink to move within a frame of victory.

Allen 11-11 Higgins (62-34)

Following a safety battle, Allen knocks in a brilliant final red into the left corner to get to the snookers required stage.

Trailing by 28 points with just the colours remaining, there is no surprise as Higgins plays on.

Allen 11-11 Higgins (37-34)

After missing the red twice while attempting a safety, Higgins is warned.

Though he does not miss at the third attempt, he catches the knuckle of the left centre and presents Allen with an opportunity.

Lisowski 11-11 Bingham

Lisowski levels with a magnificent total clearance of 123.

That is also effectively now the best of three frames.

Lisowski 'really turns it on' as classy century draws him level with Bingham

Allen 11-11 Higgins (29-33)

The Pistol breaks down on 29 as he catches another red while attempting to pot one.

Fortunately, he has not left anything obvious for his opponent.

Allen 11-11 Higgins (0-33)

Higgins makes the early running in frame 23 with a break of 33 before an attempted cannon from the blue doesn't quite go to plan.

He goes close with a double to the left centre, but Allen can now potentially counter.

Lisowski 10-11 Bingham

'Jackpot' responds well to the disappointment of the previous frame with a break of 84 cutting the deficit to one again.

Allen 11-11 Higgins

A run of 51 is more than enough for the four-time World champion to square things up once more.

This looks like it will go right down to the wire.

Allen 11-10 Higgins (13-33)

Allen has the opportunity to overturn an early deficit, but misses a tight red to the right corner with the rest.

Allen 11-10 Higgins

Allen takes full advantage with a break of 66 edging his nose back in front.

Allen 10-10 Higgins (21-1)

We are back under way on table one with Allen taking an early lead.

The Pistol now has a decent chance to regain his advantage after Higgins misses a long red to the left corner.

Lisowski 9-11 Bingham

Drama at the end of frame 20, where Lisowski gets the snooker he required - only to miss the pink.

After a brief battle, Bingham doubles it to restore his two-frame buffer.

Allen 10-10 Higgins

After tying Allen up with a solid safety, the four-time champion sees out the frame.

We are all square and it is now effectively the best of five for a place in the quarter-finals.

Allen 10-9 Higgins (0-68)

Higgins runs out of position on 64 and is forced to play safe.

He leads by 68 points with 75 remaining, so Allen could still hit back.

Allen 10-9 Higgins (0-46)

Allen is unfortunate to go in-off after going close with an ambitious long red.

It presents Higgins with a decent opportunity to level.

He is on 42 and counting...

'Bless it'

Wildlife briefly halted play on table two following the appearance of a ladybird.

Pigeons, wasps, ladybirds - we've seen it all at the snooker!

'Bless it' - Bingham charge held up by....a ladybird

Lisowski 9-10 Bingham

How crucial could that be on table two?!

Lisowski overturns a 55-0 deficit to snatch frame 19 on the black.

Like Higgins, he now only trails by a single frame.

Lisowski nails 'biggest shot of match' to pull off heist against rueful Bingham

Allen 10-9 Higgins

Higgins clears with 35 to pinch the frame on the pink to trail by one.

Can he level heading into the mid-session interval?

Allen 10-8 Higgins (46-27)

Allen gets to 46, but rattles a tricky red in the jaws of the left corner.

One of the three remaining reds is tied up, but Higgins plays a brilliant development shot to bring it out.

Can he clear up here?

Allen 10-8 Higgins (0-26)

Higgins has a great opportunity in frame 19, but breaks down on 26 after missing a fairly routine black to the right corner.

Lisowski 8-10 Bingham

The left-hander closes the gap on the other table with a timely break of 73.

Allen 10-8 Higgins

The relieved Scotsman clears to the pink to reduce the deficit to two frames once more.

Allen 10-7 Higgins (40-55)

Gasps echo around the Crucible as Allen gets down to the final red, only to marginally overcut it to the right centre.

Higgins is back at the table, and should see out the frame from here.

Allen 10-7 Higgins (13-55)

The counter is on for Allen, who picks out a brilliant red to the left centre.

There is work to do yet, but it would really hurt Higgins if he could clear up here.

Allen 10-7 Higgins (1-55)

Higgins gets to 55, but is unlucky to stick on the reds while splitting them from the black.

The four-time world champion is subsequently forced to play safe.

Allen 10-7 Higgins (1-0)

Allen crunches in a wonderful long red to the right corner, but then misses the blue to the top left.

With frames running out, Higgins must start taking any opportunities that fall his way.

Lisowski 7-10 Bingham

The other side of the divider, the 2015 champion also moves 10-7 to the good after taking a scrappy opening frame of his final session with 'Jackpot'.

Allen 10-7 Higgins

The Pistol eventually sees out the frame to make it five in a row against the Wizard.

He now needs three more for a place in the last eight.

The Rocket reacts

Ronnie O'Sullivan booked his quarter-final place earlier today after wrapping up a 13-7 victory over Ryan Day.

Here were his reflections...

'Mediocre', in 'cruising' mode - O'Sullivan reacts to securing quarter-final place

Allen 9-7 Higgins (61-16)

A run of 38 gets Allen to the snookers required stage at 45 points ahead with only 43 remaining.

Higgins will play on in search of that snooker.

Allen 9-7 Higgins (23-16)

Allen takes the lead before he is forced to play safe.

Higgins knocks in a tremendous plant from long-range, but then misses a thin black to the left corner.

Can the Pistol make the most of this chance?

'Look at this, he's found a plant...' - Higgins hits one of the shots of the tournament

Allen 9-7 Higgins (1-15)

No, he can't. The Wizard misses a red to the left corner, though there appeared to be a slightly heavier contact.

Nevertheless, Allen is back at the table with an opportunity to get some points on the board.

Allen 9-7 Higgins (1-0)

The Pistol is in first, but misses a pink to the left centre.

Can Higgins capitalise with his first opportunity of the session?

The boys are on the baize

The players all receive a brilliant reception as they are introduced into the arena by MC Rob Walker.

While we focus on Allen v Higgins, we'll keep you updated on how things are progressing between Lisowsi and Bingham.

For the sixth time...

Allen and Higgins have become incredibly familiar foes this season, having already faced off on five occasions.

The Pistol won the first two encounters at the Champion of Champions and Masters and, after the Wizard enjoyed a pair of 5-2 victories at the German Masters and Welsh Open, he then prevailed 10-7 at the Tour Championship earlier this month.

Third time lucky?

Higgins has prevailed in both of his previous meetings with Allen at the Crucible.

The Wizard was a 17-13 winner in the 2009 semi-finals on his way to a third world title, while he prevailed 13-9 at this stage in 2017.

Can the Pistol avenge those defeats this time around?

Welcome back

Thanks for joining us again as day 10 at the Crucible continues with the last of the second-round matches.

Mark Allen and Stuart Bingham hold 9-7 leads over John Higgins and Jack Lisowski respectively, with both games playing to a finish.

We will soon know the identity of all eight quarter-finalists.

That's all for this afternoon

That opening session was short and sweet, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Kyren Wilson wasting little time in booking their quarter-final places.

Two more will join them when we return this evening with a couple of finely-poised clashes.

Mark Allen is 9-7 to the good against John Higgins, with Stuart Bingham leading Jack Lisowski by the same scoreline.

Join us at 6.45pm BST for the resumption of day 10 at the Crucible. Until then, have a lovely afternoon and we'll see you later.

RESULT: Wilson 13-6 O'Connor

Kyren Wilson is also over the line after wrapping up a commanding win over Joe O'Connor, whose Crucible debut comes to an end.

The Warrior is through to his seventh quarter-final in nine years in Sheffield - and third in four events at the back end of this season.

Next up for him will be either Mark Allen or John Higgins.

RESULT: O'Sullivan 13-7 Day

Job done for the Rocket, who wastes little time in booking his place in the quarter-finals.

It is the 22nd time he will appear in the last eight at the Crucible, and the 144th of his career.

O'Sullivan will play either Jack Lisowski or Stuart Bingham in the quarters.

O'Sullivan 12-7 Day (67-0)

Despite breaking down on 67 after missing a pink to the right centre, O'Sullivan is back at the table and can wrap it up here.

O'Sullivan 12-7 Day (36-0)

On a run of 36 and counting, O'Sullivan has frame and match at his mercy.

O'Sullivan 12-7 Day

Day keeps his faint hopes alive with a run of 41 getting another frame in the bag.

Surely, though, it is too little, too late.

Wilson 12-6 O'Connor

The finish line is also in sight for the Warrior, who needs one more frame to seal the deal.

O'Sullivan 12-6 Day (5-53)

A run of 37 gives Day control of the frame, but he cannot convert his opportunity after over-screwing his positional shot from black to red.

Whether or not the Welshman loses this match, one thing is for certain - he's had his chances.

O'Sullivan 12-6 Day (5-16)

Day has an early chance, but rattles a red in the jaws of the left corner while trying to develop a cluster.

However, O'Sullivan cannot capitalise as he suffers an untimely kick with the rest on a red to the right corner.

'Kick!' - O'Sullivan curses his luck after bad miss against Day

O'Sullivan 12-6 Day

A further run of 85 is more than enough to move the Rocket a frame away from victory.

O'Sullivan 11-6 Day (42-0)

O'Sullivan is in first with 34 before missing a black to the right corner.

He is soon back at the table, but cannot develop the cluster of reds near the pink spot and is forced to play safe.

'Very good!' - O'Sullivan nails tricky double as fans applaud

Wilson 11-6 O'Connor

Across the arena, the first frame is also a scrappy one that comes down to the colours.

Wilson eventually wins it to move within two frames of the last eight.

O'Sullivan 11-6 Day

The Rocket pounces on a loose safety by Day, clearing the colours to take a scrappy opening frame of this final session on the black.

O'Sullivan benefits from 'dreaded double-kiss' for Day

O'Sullivan 10-6 Day (35-57)

A run of 43 puts the Welshman in command of the frame, which has come down to the colours.

A safety battle on the yellow is in progress, so it is a matter of who twitches first.

O'Sullivan 10-6 Day (35-14)

Day sees another chance go begging after missing a tricky red to the left corner.

However, O'Sullivan cannot capitalise as he runs out of position, before missing an ambitious long green.

O'Sullivan 10-6 Day (26-9)

A cannon does not quite go to plan and the Rocket misses a red to the right corner with the spider.

That is a let-off for Day, though there does not appear to be anything easy on for him.

O'Sullivan 10-6 Day (18-9)

A poor safety from Day leaves a red to the left centre.

O'Sullivan knocks it in and has a decent opportunity to score well here.

O'Sullivan 10-6 Day (4-9)

Day has the first clear opportunity after O'Sullivan misses a long red to the left corner.

However, the Welshman is left with awkward bridging on the pink, which he misses but gets a safe cue-ball up near the baulk cushion.

The Rocket is in the building

The crowd are in fine voice this afternoon and all four players receive a warm welcome, though the loudest is saved for the Rocket.

He needs just three more frames for a place in the last eight.

The refs are out

MC Rob Walker welcomes out today's referees - Rob Spencer and Ben Williams.

That means it is almost time for the players to make their entrances.

First up

Our main focus this afternoon will be on Ronnie O'Sullivan, who resumes his quest for that record-breaking eighth world title at 10-6 up against Ryan Day.

The Rocket is a heavy favourite to progress to his 22nd Crucible quarter-final, but he certainly won't be taking anything for granted. After all, he surrendered a 10-6 advantage in last year's quarter-finals, as eventual champion Luca Brecel reeled off seven successive frames against him.

We will also have updated from Kyren Wilson's clash with Joe O'Connor. The Warrior, who reached the 2020 final, also has a healthy 10-6 lead against the man who knocked out Mark Selby in round one.