After the 2021 Scottish Open Ronnie O'Sullivan lost 1:6 to John Higgins and missed the first title of the season again, the duel between the two has also caused many controversies, some people questioning whether the two sides are playing "match-fixing", and some fans bluntly saying that O'Sullivan has lost to Higgins several times in a row.
The two sides have played each other 74 times in their previous three decades of careers, with O'Sullivan having a slight upper hand with 38 wins, but familiar fans know that O'Sullivan has always been difficult to win in the last two-man showdowns.
In the earlier English Open, O'Sullivan was killed by Higgins while leading, and several bizarre mistakes in the decider also caused a lot of controversy after the game. The just-concluded crown champion O'Sullivan also suffered a 1:6 defeat.
Although O'Sullivan was not in as good shape as the previous British Championship, it was not so bad, and the second half of the match with Higgins was not scored, and the British snooker media also commented on the showdown after the game.
British media: Higgins can win when he meets other players this season, but the process is extremely difficult, and after meeting O'Sullivan Higgins can always come up with his best form, while O'Sullivan has obviously changed his mentality after several consecutive defeats.
In fact, looking back at the semi-final match between the two, there was indeed the situation that the British media said, O'Sullivan did not show his own unique momentum, outrageous mistakes and helpless smiles are a manifestation of unconfidence, there is no doubt that Higgins completely suppressed O'Sullivan.
Higgins wasn't happy after winning O'Sullivan, and for two old friends who had known each other for years, if one side didn't show what it should be, it wouldn't be fun to win.
Higgins said after the game: "It was a pleasure for other players to beat Ronnie, but I was not happy at all, because it was not the best one at all.
If Ronnie can keep the old form I don't think any player can beat him, so now I can win him can only be said to be a fluke, but to be able to beat him at his best, I think I will feel extremely proud.
As Higgins said, O'Sullivan's state of affairs is uncertain and the mood is elusive, which not only makes fans feel sad, but even O'Sullivan people are upset.
After losing to Higgins in the semifinals, O'Sullivan refused the post-match interview, leaving only a sentence of "I feel very bad now" and left the field, which also showed O'Sullivan's helplessness.
Since winning the sixth world championship title, O'Sullivan has not been able to break his championship drought, of course, today's O'Sullivan does not have to prove himself by obtaining more results, but for fans, it is still hoped that he can take the game seriously and leave more exciting moments in the final career as much as possible.