Hendry, who’s degree with O’Sullivan on seven World Championship titles, was reacting to the epic battle reside on the BBC when he praised Higgins’ resilience to bounce again from 8-3 down. However, Hendry couldn’t fairly discover a phrase robust sufficient to describe his countryman’s comeback, and as an alternative determined to accept ‘courage’.
After Higgins sank a difficult crimson within the deciding body, Hendry stated: “Can’t say what I want to say, but that courage is unbelievable. To cue that, is incredible.”
Higgins went on to win the decider, taking the match and a spot within the final eight with it. The 13-12 victory has been heralded as one of many matches of the event to this point, with John Parrott describing the ultimate session as among the best ever seen on the Crucible.
He stated: “We have all been going mad, I’ve got sweaty palms and I’m not even playing because we have all been there, we have all been out there. That’s one of the greatest sessions of snooker ever played in this place and we have been here since 1977.
“Both players, just like two juggernauts and absolutely would give anything. Ronnie had his chance on the last frame, he did have it. It was a tricky red in the corner that he missed and he can’t complain with that.”
Despite the brilliance of the final frame, Higgins did admit to riding his luck at times throughout the encounter. Commenting afterwards, the four-time world champion said: “I’m simply delighted I got here to the get together within the third session, as a result of the primary two periods, how I was solely 9-7 behind, I’ll by no means know.
“It was just about not giving up. At 6-2 behind, I said to the family ‘I’ve got to win the next two sessions’. I wasn’t having any negative thoughts. Ronnie played amazing in that game, his cue ball control. I’ve played him for years and I thought he was striking it great.”
It’s a desperately disappointing manner for O’Sullivan to crash out, given the Rocket would’ve been in a position to style the third spherical on a number of events. His await an eighth World Championship crown will prolong into the 2027 season, however whether or not O’Sullivan can be again to contest it stays to be seen.
