O'Sullivan and Higgins share spoils in Bulgaria ahead of new season

Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins thrilled huge crowds in Bulgaria during their two-night exhibition with both men enjoying victories over the weekend.

O’Sullivan enjoyed a 5-3 win over the Wishaw player in the city of Plovdiv on Friday evening with fellow ‘Class of ’92’ member Higgins completing a 5-4 success over his old rival on Saturday night in capital city Sofia.

O’Sullivan produced a sparkling 128 to level at 4-4 before Higgins dominated the decider with a closing run of 84.

The match before a packed crowd at the Levski hall brings the curtain down on O’Sullivan’s lucrative summer tour of Asia and Europe that saw the snooker GOAT visit China, Hong Kong, Finland and Bulgaria.

2010 world champion Neil Robertson has the honour of breaking off the new season at midday on Monday in Group 21 that includes Jamie Clarke, Ka Wai Cheung and Zachary Richardson.

O’Sullivan is due to return to competitive action on Tuesday, June 25, in Group 2 against He Guoqiang, Kayden Brierley and Mitchell Mann, who returns to the main tour after a year’s absence via a successful run at Q School.

Higgins takes to the baize a day earlier on Monday, June 24 in Group 9 alongside Hailong Ma, Ben Mertens and Artemijs Zizins.