John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

That is one of the greatest sessions of snooker played in this place. Ronnie O'Sullivan had his chance, but for John Higgins that must be one of his greatest-ever victories.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

John Higgins comes back and beats the greatest player of all time in a deciding frame. He has got a lot of heart.

Higgins beats O'Sullivan to win Crucible thrillerpublished at 16:11 BST 27 April

16:11 BST 27 April

Higgins 13-12 O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan leaves John Higgins a tricky red into the middle pocket, which the Wizard of Wishaw cuts in with expert precision.

It's enough for O'Sullivan to concede the frame which gives Higgins the victory.

From 6-2 and 9-5 down, Higgins has produced the most remarkable comeback.

Absolutely stunning.

John Higgins misses a black with the rest after making too heavy a contact on the cue ball. Ronnie O'Sullivan is 57 behind with 59 points remaining.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

John Higgins is closing in on a very famous victory. This will be right up there with some of the best I've seen.

A break of 48 now for John Higgins as he works his way through the pack. There's five reds left now. Higgins has 64 points to Ronnie O'Sullivan's eight.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

You can forgive anything here. The pressure out there is incredible.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

Ronnie O'Sullivan missed that red having lost the cue ball. Otherwise these balls John Higgins is potting would be his.

A black and a red from Ronnie O'Sullivan but he rattles a red into the jaws of the bottom-left pocket to surrender his opportunity.

Nerves are palpable.

John Higgins has a break of 21 and 37 points to his name.

A break of 16 from John Higgins but a red into the middle pocket goes begging.

"Come on Ronnie!" roars a punter in the crowd at the Crucible.

The Rocket approaches the table.

This is now the seventh meeting at the Crucible between Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins.

That equals the record for the most frequent clashes at the famous Sheffield venue that was first established by Steve Davis and Terry Griffiths and has since been equalled by Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White.

Higgins and O'Sullivan first went head to head at the Crucible in 1996, when they were both notably more fresh faced when appearing on the BBC's coverage from back then.

O'Sullivan battled back from 10-5 and 12-10 down to win a classic, 13-12.

Those 30 years have gone in the blink of an eye.

John Higgins slams in a long red into the bottom-right pocket. A brave pot.

The black follows.

He's up and running.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

People are saying there's no good young players coming through - this is why! The standard from these two in their fifties has been ridiculous. Toss of a coin which way this goes now.

Image source, Getty Images

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

What character from Ronnie O'Sullivan. In fact from both players. We are running out of superlatives.

Ronnie O'Sullivan disposes of all but one of the reds in a break of 81 which gives him the frame and makes it 12-12.

Hold on to your hats, folks.

WE HAVE A DECIDER.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

What a chance for Ronnie O'Sullivan to go 12-12. The balls are pretty much all in perfect position.

Ronnie O'Sullivan rockets himself up to a break of 46 in no time at all before nestling an awkward red in the middle pocket which forces him up to the baulk end.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Earlier in this match John Higgins was losing the cue ball, wasn't making any breaks of over 60 or 70. What he has produced here is ridiculous. A tremendous standard.

The first time these two met at the Crucible, the match went to a one-frame shootout.

Now then. A break of 21 from John Higgins before he bunts a red up the table and it misses the top-left pocket.

He's left the door ajar for Ronnie O'Sullivan.