Ronnie O'Sullivan fought back from 4-0 down to record an incredible 5-4 victory over Andrew Higginson at the German Masters this afternoon.

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The Rocket produced one of the finest comebacks of his glittering career to avoid an early exit in front of a packed crowd in the German capital.
 
World number 19 Higginson sailed into a 4-0 lead at the interval, seemingly subjecting Ronnie to yet another early ranking event exit, but the three-time world champion produced trademark moments of brilliance in reeling off five consecutive frames to reach the last 16.

Cheshire ace Higginson, who is knocking on the door of the top 16, got off to a flying start as he won the first three frames with top breaks of 67 and 80.

The 34-year-old looked to have handed his opponent a chance in the fourth, but a rare missed blue from O'Sullivan allowed him back to the table seal the frame on the pink and black to go 4-0 ahead.

O'Sullivan found himself in a similar position during his Masters encounter with Judd Trump and once again came out firing after the break, making an 86 to ignite the fightback.

The belief was apparent in the next as Higginson ran out of position 63 points ahead and was forced to play safe. O'Sullivan knocked in a long red and made a sublime 67 clearance to claw bacl to within two.

Multiple major winner O'Sullivan demonstrated his flawless ability in among the balls and followed up with a 60 break to make it 4-3.

A shell-shocked Higginson folding under pressure in frame eight, missing two clear-cut chances including a missed black off its spot at 28-8 to let O'Sullivan in for a 66 to force the decider.

The first chance fell to Chigwell ace O'Sullivan and he took full advantage, potting seven reds with blacks to establish a 56-point lead.

The telling moment then came with Higginson on a run of 20 as he rattled a long red into the jaws to present Ronnie with a match winning opportunity which he grabbed with both hands, making a further 48 to seal an incredible victory.
 
"Andrew played well and I was lucky to win," admitted a modest O'Sullivan after the match. "At 4-0 down I hadn't done a lot wrong. It was a great atmosphere and I enjoyed the comeback."
 
O'Sullivan still has work to do for the remainder of this event and at the Welsh Open if he is to avoid having to qualify for the World Championship but remained in contention to retain his top 16 place on the basis of that performance.

He will now face Joe Perry in the last 16, after he disposed of an out of sorts Ali Carter 5-4.
 
Elsewhere in the afternoon, tournament favourite Mark Selby sent out a message by whitewashing Liu Song 5-0. The world number one making breaks of 67, 104, 56 and 111.

The second round gets underway at 7pm with a four top matches in prospect, including Judd Trump v Mark Allen and Stephen Maguire v John Higgins.