The greatest snooker rivalries of all time

From intense showdowns to unforgettable moments, snooker's greatest rivalries have captivated fans and shaped the sport. With contrasting styles and fiery personalities, these clashes have defined eras and fueled legendary moments.

Let's dive into the most iconic ones! 🎱🔥

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1. Ray Reardon vs. Alex Higgins (1970s-1980s)  

 Reardon, the disciplined six-time world champion, clashed with Higgins, the erratic genius. Their 1982 World Championship final, where Reardon won 18-15, showcased their contrasting personalities control versus chaos.  

Key moment: Higgins’ emotional 1982 Crucible win, his second title, cemented his legend despite Reardon’s dominance.

2. Steve Davis vs. Jimmy White (1980s-1990s)  

: Davis, the stoic, methodical world No. 1, faced White, the flashy, fan-favorite underdog. They met in four World Championship finals (1984, 1987, 1988, 1994), with Davis winning all but 1994, when White lost to Stephen Hendry.  

Key moment: The 1984 final, where Davis crushed White 18-5, set the tone for White’s heartbreaking Crucible losses.

3. Stephen Hendry vs. Jimmy White (1990s)  

 Hendry, the relentless young Scot, dominated with seven world titles, while White’s flair couldn’t break through. They faced off in four Crucible finals (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994), with Hendry winning all.  

Key moment: The 1994 final White led 17-16 but missed a crucial black, letting Hendry steal an 18-17 victory, White’s last real shot at the title.

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4. Stephen Hendry vs. Ronnie O’Sullivan (1990s-2000s)  

Hendry’s precision met O’Sullivan’s raw talent as the torch passed. Their 2002 World Championship semi-final, where O’Sullivan won 17-13, marked his ascent. Hendry led early head-to-heads, but O’Sullivan later dominated.  

Key moment: O’Sullivan’s 2004 Crucible win over Hendry (18-9) showed his ability to outshine the master.

5. Ronnie O’Sullivan vs. Mark Selby (2000s-2020s)  

 O’Sullivan’s flair contrasted with Selby’s grinding, tactical game. Their 2020 World Championship semi-final, where O’Sullivan rallied from 16-14 down to win 17-16, was a classic. Selby’s resilience pushed O’Sullivan to evolve.  

Key moment: The 2014 Masters final O’Sullivan’s 10-4 rout showed his dominance, but Selby’s three world titles kept the rivalry alive.

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6. John Higgins vs. Ronnie O’Sullivan (1990s-2020s)  

Two of the “Class of ‘92” with contrasting styles Higgins’ all-around game versus O’Sullivan’s aggression. They’ve met in countless high-stakes matches, with O’Sullivan leading head-to-head but Higgins winning key battles, like the 2001 World Championship (18-14).  

Key moment: The 2005 Grand Prix final, where Higgins edged O’Sullivan 9-8 in a thriller, highlighted their razor-thin margins.