Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘not the same player’ as John Higgins closes in at the Crucible

Stephen Hendry felt Ronnie O’Sullivan was ‘not the same player’ 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.

The second session of their World Championship second round meeting began with O’Sullivan in command at 6-2 ahead after an impressive performance on Saturday night.

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.

Hendry did not have high hopes for his compatriot at this stage, saying Higgins looked ‘weak’ but even when the Wizard doesn’t have his best spells available to him, he has one of the greatest mindsets in the sport.

The four-time world champion dug in, sharing the next two frames before claiming three tight ones on the spin, so O’Sullivan ended the evening just 9-7 up.

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’Sullivan went in-off on the final red.

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

O’Sullivan 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.

Hendry felt there was something missing in the Rocket on Sunday night, saying on the BBC: ‘He’s not looked the same player tonight, Ronnie. He’s not had that look in his eye.

‘Last night he just looked so intense, so focussed. Tonight, whether it’s because he’s got a lead, or for whatever reason…but when we see Ronnie showing frustration, it’s important that John punished him for that.’

Higgins wasn’t producing the spectacular, but Hendry was impressed with the fight he showed, as he has always shown on the baize.

‘He’s not played anywhere near the snooker he’s been playing this season but he’s in this match, it’s just incredible,’ said the seven-time world champion.

‘Last night I thougt John really struggled. Ronnie played outstanding and that’s 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’s just battled, he’s just battled to stay in this match.’

As Higgins clings on, failing to find form, and O’Sullivan throws a fist at the table even when in front, this was just the latest demonstration of the intense pressure of the Crucible.

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.

‘It 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,’ said Hendry.

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

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.

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.

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