Ronnie O’Sullivan has explained why he conceded his World Snooker Championship match to John Higgins. O’Sullivan’s bid for a record-breaking eighth Crucible title was shattered as Higgins capped a remarkable comeback with a 13-12 win to move into the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals.
In an incredible match, in which O’Sullivan twice led by five frames but ended up losing six frames on the bounce across the final two sessions. And in the deciding frame, Higgins had the first chance but missed a red into the middle at 16-0 to give O’Sullivan a lifeline before the Englishman could only score eight points and failed to pot a red.
The Scot then made a break of 49, and after potting a red, O’Sullivan conceded the match and quickly made his way out of the theatre.
Asked by the BBC why he made the call, O’Sullivan replied: “I don’t know. I think he was just favourite to win anyway, wasn’t he?”