The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Higgins and O’Sullivan proving life begins at 40
Rivalry strong after 25 years
John Higgins is a key part of the snooker pack currently proving that 40 is the new 25 and fellow golden oldie Ronnie O’Sullivan loves the fact their rivalry is just as strong a quarter of a century after it began.
Four-time world champion Higgins, 42, has won the Indian Open and Welsh Open this season – his 29th and 30th career ranking titles – and heads into the 2018 world championship, which starts today, as one of the favourites.
Meanwhile, O’Sullivan, 42, has won a joint single-season record of five ranking events this term and Mark Williams, 43, has captured another two.
The Higgins-WilliamsO’Sullivan trio show no signs of slowing down, despite all turning professional together in 1992 and having won 11 of the last 20 world championship titles between them.
Wishaw potter Higgins and five-time world champion O’Sullivan have had many memorable tussles down the years – not least the 2006 Masters final, where the Scot prevailed 10-9, avenging his defeat from 12 months prior – and the Englishman is enjoying teaching the young guns a lesson.
“I think it’s great – me, John Higgins and Mark Williams are all in our 43rd years now and a lot of the other players are in their late 20s, early 30s,” said O’Sullivan.
“These are the guys who are meant to be taking over from us and yet we’ve been winning most of the tournaments this season.
“I don’t know why that is but you’ve just got to make hay while the sun shines.”
Higgins faces talented Thai cueman Thepchaiya Un-Nooh on Wednesday in the first round. O’Sullivan is in action today against Scot Stephen Maguire, while defending champion Mark Selby takes on Joe Perry today. l Watch the snooker world championship LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with Colin Murray and analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.