A draw between Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins in the round of 16 will provide a thrilling ending to the World Snooker Championship.

Seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry said: “John was amazing and it’s amazing to have him in this match.” “Last night [in Saturday’s first session] He really struggled for whatever reason.

“Rooney’s playing was fantastic but John looked different to Higgins. Maybe it was a bit nervous, a bit of intimidation, but he just struggled to stay in that game. Rooney didn’t look the same player.”

After an 83 break from Higgins in the ninth frame, O’Sullivan won two in a row, thanks to a 116 and an 80, to establish a dominant five-frame advantage at 8-3.

Higgins won the 12th, but O’Sullivan’s break of 91 left the Englishman ahead 9-4.

But the last three frames were very exciting. Higgins looked in control from the 14th over, with O’Sullivan needing a snooker to have any chance, which he then got, although he couldn’t capitalize.

Higgins finished 15th with a black-ball finish, then O’Sullivan hit the table early in the final frame of the night.

His mood did not improve when he drew a long red, but he then saw the cue ball tracked into the same pocket, with that error proving crucial as Higgins took the frame to give himself some hope.

O’Sullivan is battling to reach his 24th Crucible quarter-final and is looking for his eighth world title, which would be a record in the modern era.

He was watched by former Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes during his 10-2 first-round win over Chinese newcomer He Guoqiang, and this time, UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett and Liverpool defender Milos Kerkes were in attendance.

They, along with the rest of the audience at the Crucible, left thoroughly entertained.