Pink Ball's top matches: last 32, match seven

Match seven:

John Higgins 13-12 Mark Selby, World Championship 2009 (13)

VERSUS

Stephen Hendry 17-13 Ronnie O'Sullivan, World Championship 2002 (20)

The Hendry-O'Sullivan semi-final, while brilliant, does compare unfavourably against the superb 1999 semi-final, which finished on the same scoreline but was just relentlessly excellent.

Higgins-Selby was probably as good as matchplay snooker can get, and the double re-rack at the end definitely sealed its place among the pantheon of truly great matches. Has to win, for me.

If it was the 1999 match I'd have definitely said Hendry-O'Sullivan but I dont think the 2002 match was quite on the same level even though it was still good of course.

But Higgins-Selby on the other hand could be well be the greatest bo25 match ever. And it had the highest level of matchplay. It was a brillant win for Higgins.

And he went on to win the World title which Hendry couldnt do in 2002.