Ronnie O'Sullivan beats He Guoqiang 10-2 at the World Snooker Championship

Resuming with a commanding 7-2 overnight lead, O'Sullivan wasted little time in putting the match to bed, beginning with a run of 62 and then treating his legion of fans to two centuries to finish the job.

Up next is old rival Higgins, another hailing from the famed Class of 92 and himself in the midst of a strong campaign that has included reaching the finals of the Masters and Players Championship.

A rivalry that goes back over three decades, including in the World Championship final of 2001, will now be reignited on Saturday night after Higgins got the better of Ali Carter in round one.