Ronnie O’Sullivan interrupted by fan during John Higgins clash as ref forced to intervene | Other | Sport

O’Sullivan was lining up for a go at the black and had pulled his swing back when a member of the crowd inside the bustling Crucible Theatre did something to put him off his rhythm. The Rocket immediately jolted and stepped back from the table before making contact with the cue ball.

Not wanting to risk messing up the shot, O’Sullivan returned to his seat for a quick drink of water, while the referee issued a stern warning to the crowd member. They said: “Can you take the phone down please, it needs to stay down please.”

The commentators were none the wiser as to what actually happened, but it may have been a fan raising their phone to take a snap of the seven-time world champion in action. O’Sullivan had made sure the stewards inside the arena knew who was at fault, by pointing up and remarking: “It was him,” after pulling away.

O’Sullivan was able to reconfigure himself after the impromptu stoppage, and eventually took the seventh frame to extend his lead to 5-2. It continued to be a profitable night at the table for the 50-year-old, as he won the eighth and final frame of the session to post a four-frame lead heading into Sunday.

The BBC punditry team were full of praise for O’Sullivan following the close of play, with John Parrott saying: “I think on what we’ve seen 6-2 is the right scoreline. Tomorrow is another day for John Higgins and he’s got to make the most of chances. He’s capable of beating Ronnie 6-2 tomorrow. He’s going to have to find his top game because Ronnie doesn’t look like he is going to dip.”

While Steve Davis added: “Ronnie O’Sullivan will be very pleased with his day’s work and it will be rest and start again tomorrow. Ronnie has seemed measured in interviews and he’s enjoying the challenge. Sometimes he’s come here and not been liked the attention but he looks more relaxed with the eyes up on him.”

O’Sullivan and Higgins will reconvene on Sunday, with Zhao Xintong, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and Judd Trump also competing across a bumper day in Sheffield.