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'Something special' - O'Sullivan & Higgins renew rivalry

'Something special' - O'Sullivan & Higgins renew rivalry

Summary

John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan, two top snooker players, first played against each other 30 years ago in a tense 1996 World Snooker Championship quarter-final. Despite a close match where Higgins nearly won, O'Sullivan came back to win; both players remain top competitors and will face each other again soon.

Key Facts

  • The first big match between Higgins and O'Sullivan was in 1996 during the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals.
  • Higgins was leading 12-11 and had an easy shot but missed, allowing O'Sullivan to win the deciding frame.
  • O'Sullivan had faced a disciplinary hearing the night before for assaulting a press officer and was fined £20,000 with a suspended ban.
  • Higgins almost got a bye to the semi-finals if O'Sullivan had been disqualified but was told at 1 a.m. he would play the next morning.
  • Both players were 20 years old during their first big match.
  • O'Sullivan has won seven world titles, and Higgins has won four so far in their careers.
  • They are still among the best players in snooker and will compete against each other soon.
  • Both players credit their early matches against each other for helping build their skills and strength in the sport.
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