After a break of 83 from Higgins within the ninth body, O’Sullivan gained two in a row, because of runs of 116 and 80, to carry a dominant five-frame benefit at 8-3.
Higgins gained the twelfth, however O’Sullivan’s break of 91 left the Englishman 9-4 in entrance.
However the remaining three frames have been very dramatic. Higgins appeared in charge of the 14th, with O’Sullivan needing a snooker to have any probability, which he then acquired, though he couldn’t capitalise.
Higgins took the fifteenth on a black-ball end, with O’Sullivan then punching the desk in frustration after lacking a crimson early on within the final body of the night time.
His temper was not improved when he potted an extended crimson however then noticed the cue ball observe it into the identical pocket, with that foul proving essential as Higgins took the body to provide himself some hope.
O’Sullivan is preventing to make the Crucible quarter-finals for a twenty fourth time and on the lookout for an eighth world title, which might be a document within the fashionable period.
He was watched by former Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes throughout his 10-2 win over Chinese language debutant He Guoqiang and, this time, UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett and Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez have been in attendance.
They, together with the remainder of the gang on the Crucible, would have left totally entertained.
