Four-time world champion John Higgins mounted a stunning comeback from 8-3 and 9-4 down to defeat Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-12 in a last-16 thriller at the World Championship. Meanwhile, world number one Judd Trump was knocked out 13-12 by Iranian qualifier Hossein Vafaei on a dramatic day at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Higgins, who trailed by five frames twice during Sunday's second session, won the last three frames of the day and carried that momentum into Monday, taking the first three to level the match at 9-9. O'Sullivan, seeking a record eighth modern-era title, briefly regained the lead at 11-10 before Higgins again rallied, winning two consecutive frames to stand one from victory. O'Sullivan forced a decider with an 81 break, but Higgins held his nerve, compiling a match-winning 49 after O'Sullivan missed a red, sealing a famous win.
"I'm just delighted I came to the party in the third session," Higgins said. "It was just about not giving up. Ronnie played amazing, his cue ball control was superb."
O'Sullivan admitted rustiness after two years without a deep run. "I was really shocked that I was able to make a game of it," he said. "I missed too many important balls."
In the other upset, Trump, the 2019 champion, led 9-7 overnight but lost six of the final nine frames to Vafaei, who compiled breaks of 106 and 91 to win 13-12. Vafaei, ranked 32nd, will face China's Wu Yize in the quarter-finals.
"There's no pressure, so why should I be worried?" Vafaei said. "The Crucible trophy is living in my head rent free."
Trump was blunt: "It hurts but I had my chances. I just was not good enough."
Earlier, four-time champion Mark Selby lost 13-11 to 22-year-old Wu Yize, who is aiming to become the second Chinese world champion. Selby praised Wu as "a world champion in the making."
Higgins will now face 2010 winner Neil Robertson, who beat Chris Wakelin 13-7.