Ronnie O’Sullivan makes World Snooker prediction as he blows lead to allow John Higgins to win one of the greatest snooker sessions

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Ronnie O’Sullivan’s quest for a record eighth World Snooker Championship is over for another year.The Rocket was beaten 13-12 in the second round by John Higgins in a match for the ages at the Crucible.Higgins is into the last eight at the Crucible after coming from 9-5 behind to beat O’Sullivan in a deciding frameGettyHis Scottish opponent produced a stunning comeback to avoid defeat and claim victory in the deciding frame to win 13-12.Higgins will now face either Chris Wakelin or Neil Robertson in the quarter-finals.Higgins wins instant classicO’Sullivan had appeared in control of the contest on more than one occasion having twice established a commanding lead.The seven-time world champion first led 6-2 after a dominant start to the match before winning three of the next five frames to lead 9-5.However, Higgins responded in spectacular fashion as he won five straight frames to level the match.Those frames included breaks of 118 and 128 as the Wizard of Wishaw rolled back the years in Sheffield.Despite levelling the contest at 9-9, though, the Scot would again have to battle back as O’Sullivan claimed the next two frames.As Higgins fought back during Sunday’s evening session, the frustration appeared to get to O’Sullivan.He could be seen punching the table at one stage after missing a seemingly regulation red.A 111 break from Higgins in the 22nd frame levelled once more before he moved one from victory in the next stanza.O’Sullivan twice led by at least four frames before being pegged back by his rivalGettyAn instant response from the Rocket saw the pair locked at 12-12 and head for a deciding frame.It was Higgins who would take the spoils as he moved 66-8 ahead in the frame to leave O’Sullivan needing snookers to win.Instead, the world No.12 conceded the frame, and thus the match, to hand his opponent the victory.Former pro John Parrott said on commentary in reaction: “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.”O’Sullivan’s World Snooker predictionO’Sullivan believes his rival can now go on to win a fifth World Snooker Championship this weekend.O’Sullivan has tipped Higgins to go on and win the title after their epic clashGettySpeaking immediately after the match, the 50-year-old said: “John played well and deserved his win.“He’s got a chance of winning the championship if he keeps playing like he did in that session.“I went into the pack and left myself a difficult red in that final frame, but I probably wasn’t the best player over the match anyway.“I feel like I am enjoying my game and in a better place this month than I have been for a few years but I just missed too many key balls.“There was pressure out there and I got a big tight and maybe that was because I haven’t won a tournament in two and a half years or competed in those types of matches for a while.”“It’s a bit of new territory for me and I just have to be grateful for what I’ve got and build on it.”Higgins, who is the fifth seed at this year’s tournament, won the last of his four world titles in 2011.He has been a three-time finalist in the 15 years since but is yet to add a fifth crown to his illustrious record.Since his consecutive final defeats between 2017 and 2019, Higgins has reached the semi-finals on just one occasion.He will have the chance to end that run against either Wakelin or Robertson, with the best of 25 frames encounter due to start on Tuesday.