John Higgins has spectacularly surpassed Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record to reach an unprecedented 147 ranking quarter-finals after triumphing over a surrendering Kyren Wilson at the World Grand Prix.

The match, which took place in Hong Kong on Thursday morning, ended with Higgins clinching a 4-2 victory, featuring two centuries and an impressive 143 break in the second frame.

Last month, Higgins had hinted at his aspirations, saying: “One more [quarter-final] to go to 147 would be nice. I’ve had a good career and a long career and maybe that’s why I’ve managed to rack up some of those numbers.”

He added: “I’m proud to still be going. I still love competing out there and I’d dearly love to win a big event. That’s what I’m trying my hardest to do.”

Meanwhile, Wilson provided a light-hearted moment during the final stages of their encounter by waving a white towel attached to his cue, much to the amusement of the audience.

This isn’t the only record O’Sullivan has seen broken this year; Judd Trump has shattered his record for the most prize money won in a single snooker season.

After Higgins’ triumph over Ding Junhui in the Masters quarter-final back in January, he set a new record, and talking about this milestone, he amusingly said: “Don’t tell everyone here!”

Withdrawing from the World Grand Prix now means that O’Sullivan misses out on the Players Championship in Telford and the Tour Championship in Manchester.

His fans can expect his next showcase at the table to likely be at the World Championships in Sheffield next month, where the 49-year-old snooker legend boasts an impressive seven titles, the most recent being in 2022.

He has also consistently reached the quarter-finals in his last two plays at the Crucible.

This article first appeared on The Mirror.