The 2026 World Snooker Championship has been marked by intense drama, with Ronnie O'Sullivan's second-round clash against John Higgins providing one of the tournament's most memorable moments. Higgins emerged victorious over the Rocket on Monday, following an incident on Sunday where the seven-time champion punched the table in frustration.
O'Sullivan's Emotional Outburst
O'Sullivan held a narrow lead over Higgins when play concluded on Sunday, but the Scot began closing the gap upon resumption. During the final frame of the evening, O'Sullivan's reaction suggested he believed he should have been further ahead than the 9-7 scoreline. On Monday afternoon, Higgins continued to reel off frames. Trailing 8-0 in the 16th frame, O'Sullivan attempted a red into the top-left pocket but watched it slip away. He responded furiously, thumping the side of the table, and Higgins subsequently claimed the frame.
This episode follows candid comments from the 50-year-old about his recent form. "I certainly feel like I want to play now, whereas before I was just scared of playing," O'Sullivan said after a first-round win over He Guoqiang. "I'd just had enough of hitting poor shot after poor shot. Now, I get excited about playing because I think I'm going to hit some nice shots, and that's all I want to do. My game's still not anywhere near where it needs to be but that's not important at this stage of my career. I've just got to take enjoying the game."
Wakelin Controversy
Further drama unfolded in another second-round encounter between Chris Wakelin and Neil Robertson. Australian Robertson held a 10-6 advantage before Monday's restart, with the first to 13 frames advancing. The match was not without controversy. Referee Peggy Li penalised Wakelin for a foul, determining that he had made contact with the yellow ball with his cue as he stood up after potting a red.
Li explained to Wakelin: "Because it's on this [left] side, I was on the right position, and then you were very close when you lifted your cue out. And then when you lifted your cue out it was slightly on the yellow, the cue. I'm sorry but I have to call it." BBC commentator John Parrott acknowledged that Li was better positioned to spot the foul than those observing from a distance. "I didn't see anything myself there, but Peggy is in a better position than I am," said the 1991 world champion. "It's very difficult to see. When he followed through, the cue does make a tiny movement towards the yellow and we can't see that and Peggy would be in a better position to see." Fellow commentator Gary Wilson suggested the decision could prove controversial but shared Parrott's feelings that Li was best-placed to make the ruling. "She wouldn't have called it unless she was sure, especially on review," Wilson argued.
Other Matches
Four second-round contests were wrapped up over the weekend. Defending champion Zhao Xintong defeated fellow Chinese star Ding Junhui 13-9 to set up a quarter-final against 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy, who triumphed 13-3 against Xiao Guodong. In the opposite half of the draw, Mark Allen and Barry Hawkins defeated higher-seeded opponents, with Allen seeing off 2024 champ Kyren Wilson and Hawkins getting past Mark Williams.
