Amid all the talk of Chinese domination, the Class of 92 continues to show their resilience at the World Snooker Championship. On the eighth day of competition at the Crucible, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, and John Higgins all proved that age has not diminished their skills. Despite being 49 or 50 years old, these three snooker legends who have collectively won 14 world titles are still a force to be reckoned with.
Higgins had to battle hard on Saturday night to clinch his spot in the quarter-finals. After a tough last-16 encounter against Xiao Guodong, which was delayed to a third session due to time constraints, Higgins prevailed 13-12 in a thrilling decider. This victory came after a dramatic turnaround, with Xiao winning the first frame after the resumption to force a final-frame shootout. However, Higgins showed nerves of steel to come through in the end and book his place in the next round, where he will face Williams.
The Scottish veteran, now ranked world No. 3, expressed his satisfaction with his performance, having already secured a significant win at the Tour Championship earlier in the season. He commented on the challenge of playing at the Crucible, where the atmosphere and pressure add to the excitement of the sport. He also reflected on the special nature of his rivalry with Williams and O’Sullivan, acknowledging that the three of them, despite their years, remain some of the best players in the game.
Mark Williams also advanced to the quarter-finals, securing a 13-10 win over Hossein Vafaei. The Welshman, who has won three World Championships, found himself in a tight battle after the first two sessions were drawn at 4-4 and 8-8. However, Williams showed his experience and composure, winning four of the final seven frames to seal the victory. His performance was highlighted by a break of 115, proving that he is still a formidable opponent at the Crucible.
Meanwhile, O’Sullivan, the seven-time World Champion, looked in control of his match against Pang Junxu. After taking a 6-2 lead in the first session, O’Sullivan showed his class with breaks of 58, 91, 50, and 63 to set the tone for the rest of the match. Although Pang responded with a brilliant 119 break, O’Sullivan quickly regained his advantage, showing no signs of slowing down despite his advancing years.
The marathon clash between Higgins and Xiao was a spectacle, with both players trading blows throughout the sessions. After the first two sessions ended at 4-4 and 8-8, neither player had managed to build a significant lead. The third session was just as close, with both players battling for every frame. Higgins, however, came out on top after the interval, making a break of 84 in the 21st frame, his 2,000th at the Crucible. As the clock ticked down, Higgins held his nerve and managed to finish the match 13-12, sealing his place in the next round.
Other notable matches included Luca Brecel’s stunning performance against Ding Junhui, where he raced to a 7-1 lead, leaving Ding unable to mount any significant resistance. Brecel, who won the title two years ago, has struggled since, but his attacking play was in full flow during this match. Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong, a favorite to win the tournament, led Lei Peifan 10-6 after the morning session, and Si Jiahui held a 5-3 advantage over Ben Woollaston, following an exciting and dramatic frame to close the session.
With the Class of 92 players continuing to show their mastery of the game, the stage is set for another thrilling week at the Crucible, as these legends look to add to their already legendary careers.
