In a thrilling quarterfinal showdown at the 2024 World Snooker Championship, Stuart Bingham emerged victorious against the formidable Ronnie O'Sullivan, replicating the drama of their 2015 encounter. The match was a rollercoaster of momentum swings and standout performances, captivating snooker fans worldwide.

From the outset, Bingham signalled his intent, seizing an early 3-1 lead in the first session with a display of precise cue action, including breaks of 55, 75, and 79. Despite O'Sullivan's trademark resilience, Bingham managed to keep pace, concluding the session at four frames apiece, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle.

The intensity only heightened in the second session, with both players delivering stellar performances. Bingham continued to impress, matching O'Sullivan frame for frame, buoyed by impressive centuries of 108 and 125. 

However, a moment of intrigue occurred in the 12th frame when O'Sullivan, displaying sportsmanship or perhaps strategic calculation, intervened to correct the placement of the black ball. Despite this gesture, O'Sullivan eventually conceded the frame, hinting at deeper tensions between player and referee.

Image credit: WST

As the match progressed into the pivotal third and final session, drama ensued. O'Sullivan opened with a stunning century break of 136, but Bingham remained unfazed, countering with breaks of 63 and 67 to seize a narrow lead. 

Controversy struck once more in the 22nd frame, as O'Sullivan sparked a delay in play, refusing to continue until the ambient noise from the adjoining match subsided. Bingham capitalised on this disruption, unleashing a remarkable century break of 104 to assert his dominance.

With the finish line in sight, Bingham showcased unwavering resolve, clinching a crucial frame to secure a hard-fought victory over O'Sullivan, closing out the match 13-10. His triumph mirrored his historic upset over the Rocket in 2015, cementing his status as a formidable contender on snooker's grandest stage.