In a captivating clash reminiscent of their iconic 2015 showdown, Stuart Bingham emerged triumphant against snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarterfinals of the 2024 World Snooker Championship. The match, characterised by its rollercoaster of momentum swings and standout performances, left fans on the edge of their seats, solidifying its place as a highlight of this year's championship.

Reflecting on his victory, Bingham humorously played down the significance of defeating O'Sullivan for the second time at the Crucible, highlighting their extensive history on the table. He remarked, "I’ve had 19 other defeats off him, or something like that. It obviously means something beating him, but I was just out there enjoying it, I didn’t care if I won or lost,” he told SportsBoom.com. 

Despite the weight of expectations and the formidable presence of O'Sullivan, Bingham maintained composure throughout the match. When asked about feeling pressure against O'Sullivan and whether his past victory in 2015 played a factor, Bingham attributed his success to a combination of skill and enjoyment. He stated, "My game clicked, and I was enjoying every second of it. I was lucky to get so many chances, but I held myself together."

Image credit: WST

With his victory over O'Sullivan, Bingham now sets his sights on a semi-final clash against Welsh qualifier Jak Jones. Despite his previous triumph in 2015 and the significance of defeating O'Sullivan once again, Bingham remains grounded about his prospects for clinching the world title this year. 

When asked if he feels in better shape to go ahead and lift the crown, more than he did back in 2015, he admitted, "No, obviously my game's got better as the tournament has gone on, but I still think I'm worse off than that year. But maybe in different ways. I know I can do it, I've been there, done it. That makes it harder."