John Higgins fought through deep emotional turmoil to secure a 10-7 victory over Joe O’Connor in their World Snooker Championship first-round match at the Crucible. The 49-year-old, a four-time world champion, was visibly struggling during the morning session, losing 5-4, but made a remarkable recovery later in the day. He admitted to battling overwhelming emotions, which he said were a significant factor in his sluggish start.
Higgins revealed that he had been struggling with personal challenges, including his father-in-law’s recent heart attack. He also reflected on poignant moments spent with his family, which added to the weight of his emotions during the match. “That was the most emotional I have ever been today,” he said, breaking down as he spoke. “I left my wife and I was in tears. Obviously, my father-in-law wasn’t great, and I was having dinner with my boy last night and thinking about sitting here with my dad 25 years ago.”
Despite these challenges, Higgins regained his composure and showed his trademark resilience. After edging ahead 6-5, he produced a century break in the 12th frame, which gave him the momentum he needed to take control. Although O’Connor mounted a strong fight back, leveling the match at 7-7, Higgins held firm and won the final three frames to seal the win. The victory not only marked a significant personal triumph for the Scot, but it also showcased his ability to perform at a high level despite the emotional weight he was carrying.
Meanwhile, Mark Allen is also seeking redemption after a difficult season and is looking to emulate recent Crucible champions. The 39-year-old, who has fallen from first to eighth in the world rankings, claimed a 10-6 win over Chinese qualifier Fan Zhengyi in his opening match. Despite his lack of form this season, Allen is brimming with confidence and has drawn inspiration from Kyren Wilson and Luca Brecel, who both triumphed at the Crucible after underwhelming campaigns leading into the tournament.
Allen is now hoping to turn his fortunes around, and his win over Fan demonstrated signs of recovery. After losing the first three frames of the match, he produced a stunning four-frame streak to finish the contest. Breaks of 88 and 102 helped him move into a commanding position, and although Fan fought back with breaks of 86 and 74, Allen ultimately sealed the victory with a break of 63. He will now face Chris Wakelin in the second round, a match that will see Allen trying to regain his best form and make a serious challenge for the title.
Zak Surety, the Crucible debutant, also impressed in his first-round match against former finalist Ding Junhui. After losing the first four frames, Surety staged a remarkable comeback, finishing the opening session with a century break to bring the score to 6-3. His 104 break was a highlight of his rally and will give him hope as he resumes play, with the possibility of further upsets in this year’s tournament.
The 2025 World Snooker Championship continues to unfold with plenty of drama and emotional storylines, as veterans and newcomers alike look to make their mark at the Crucible.
