Two matches were played to finish yesterday: Ding Junhui beat Zak Surety by 10-7 and Si Jiahui beat David Gilbert by 10-6. Here are the reports shared by WST:
Ding Junhui reached the last 16 of the Halo World Championship for the first time in five years with a 10-7 victory over Zak Surety, who set a new record for the most centuries by a Crucible debutant.
Ding had lost his opening match at the Crucible in each of the last four years, but has finally broken that streak and is into the second round for the 12th time. The world number ten, who won his first ranking title in five years at the International Championship earlier this season, will meet Luca Brecel or Ryan Day next. He will be one of at least five Chinese players in the last 16 – a record – and the 38-year-old remains the only man from his country to have reached a world final, having finished runner-up to Mark Selby in 2016.
Surety may be heading back to Essex but he takes away his own piece of Crucible history as the only player to make four centuries on his debut. Nervy in the early stages, he fell 4-0 behind and that was too big a gap to recover, but he showed his break-building quality and the World Open semi-finalist underlined why he is considered one of the most improved players on the tour this season. Only Ryan Day in 2004 and Jackson Page in 2022 had previously compiled three centuries on their debuts.
Trailing 6-3 after Monday’s first session, Surety hit back this afternoon, winning three of the first four frames with breaks of 109, 136 and 110 to close to 7-6. Ding made an 86 in frame 14 before Surety took the 15th with a run of 50 to stay in touch at 8-7. But 15-time ranking event winner Ding finished strongly, making a century of his own with a 116 then a 75 in frame 17 to wrap up the tie.
“There was big pressure when Zak made the centuries, he was winning the frame every time he got a chance,” said Ding. “I didn’t pot a ball for a long time but I tried to focus on my game and then scored when I got chances. I will try my best in the second round, I can be more relaxed now because in the last few years I have lost in the first round.
“I would love to see a Chinese player win the title, it would be great for Chinese snooker and for the young players and fans, it will help more people to start playing.”
Surety said: “It’s a shame I gave Ding such a big head start because I felt brilliant out there today. It’s nice to go away with the centuries record but it would have been nicer to win the match. I was nervous early on and couldn’t settle. I am the biggest snooker nerd so I have heard all the stories of how players feel when they first come here. I was waiting for the nerves myself, once I started playing it felt as if the arena was getting smaller and everything was on top of me.
“I made a century to go 6-3 and I felt relaxed last night, then today I settled in straight away. At 8-7 I potted a long red but didn’t get position then played a bad safety and left Ding a chance. That was my biggest mistake because it wasn’t a hard shot. I can walk away now with my head held high and desperate to get back here. At 4-0 down I was wondering if I really belong because I couldn’t pot two balls in a row.“
I didn’t watch that match … but I certainly will do at some point. Zak Surety is brilliant to watch, as is Ding but for very different reasons. Zak is flamboyant and Ding is mathematically precise. As I was watching Ronnie’s first session, I couldn’t help noticing the fans roars constantly coming from the other table. They were having a great time out there! Zak puts his heart and soul in his game and his passion “transfers” to those watching1.
Si Jiahui maintained his unbeaten record in the first round at the Crucible as he beat David Gilbert 10-6, his first win in a ranking event since January.
Si showed only glimpses of his best, and in fact was described as an “edgy mess” by his opponent, but did enough to set up a last 16 meeting with Mark Selby or Ben Woollaston on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The 22-year-old clearly enjoys this famous stage – two years ago on his debut at the Theatre of Dreams, Si enjoyed a tremendous run to the semi-finals, and he impressed again last year with an opening victory over Mark Williams.
“The crowd here is always amazing,” said Si. “They’re so enthusiastic and generous with their applause. It really lifts your spirits. Most players enjoy competing here – it gives you that special feeling.“
After a strong start to the season highlighted by runs to the semi-finals of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and the final of the Wuhan Open, Si has struggled for results in the second half of the campaign, notably losing his opening match in the last five consecutive ranking events. The Sheffield-based cueman has now broken that streak and there is still time to finish the season on a high with a deep run at the sport’s flagship event. He will be one of at least six Chinese players in the last 16, joining Ding Junhui, Zhao Xintong, Lei Peifan, Xiao Guodong and the winner of the tie between Zhang Anda and Pang Junxu.
Si led 6-3 after the first session and took the opening frame tonight with a break of 98. Gilbert, a semi-finalist here last year, potted nine reds with blacks at the start of frame 11 but his hopes of a 147 ended with a missed red to a centre pocket on 72. That proved enough to pull a frame back, but Si dominated the next with a top run of 55 to lead 8-4. Frame 13 came down to the last red and Si, leading 57-30, converted an excellent long pot to a baulk corner to move to the brink of victory.
After the interval, Gilbert found some fluency with breaks of 104 and 102 to close to 9-6. A scrappy 16th frame was resolved when Si laid a tough snooker with three reds remaining, and from the chance that followed he crept past the winning post.
Si added: “At 3-3 I potted a really tough red which completely changed the momentum. That gave me confidence and helped me find some rhythm and go 6–3 ahead. Today’s performance was solid. He made two centuries towards the end and that made me nervous, but I managed to hold my nerve and close it out.
“I think I’ve become a better rounded player. Playing against top players constantly exposes your weaknesses, and I’ve been actively working on those. My form recently hasn’t been perfect, but I’m trying to find ways to adjust. Hopefully I can keep building and get better as the tournament goes on.
“I’m sure more and more Chinese players will make their mark here in the future. So many of us are in the main draw. Everyone’s working hard, and we’re all improving together. I think it’s all about mindset. Everyone here is tough, the margins are really fine. If you over-think the venue or the occasion, it can backfire. I’ve learned to treat it just like any other tournament. That relaxed approach has really helped me perform better.“
Gilbert said: “I thought we were both very poor. I couldn’t pot a long ball and my mid-range game was non existent so I was making it easy for him. Plus the snooker Gods were against me – to be 6-3 down after the first session was laughable. I really looked forward to coming here and I was really pleased to qualify. I love the Crucible but it’s not very nice when your game isn’t there.
“If it had gone 9-7 I honestly think he would have collapsed, he looked a complete edgy mess the whole way through. He will have to play a lot better than that. I am not Mark Selby, Ronnie O’Sullivan or John Higgins where my bad game is good enough to come out of a bad session 5-4 ahead. If I had practised more with Mark in the build up I think I would have come out of yesterday’s session 8-1 ahead. I nearly didn’t even play in this tournament so I’m pleased to have played here, I am not down about it. I’m disappointed the season is over now because I am back into a better routine.“
I didn’t watch that match either. I watched a bit of Trump v Zhou and, honestly, I’m unable to say much about it. Trump scored well, obviously. Zhou can play better. That’s about what I can remember … 2
I hope this makes sense … that how I felt even in amateur events when I was watching Zak. ↩︎
No I was drunk 😉. I’m prone to migraine attacks and had one last night. Usually, in the hours before the actual pain starts, I suffer what’s called “aura”. I’m not in actual pain, but I’m unable to concentrate, my eye-hand coordination is messed up, I struggle to park my car something I’m usually very good at … and when I come out of it, I have little recollection of the recent past hours… ↩︎
Ronnie O’Sullivan leads Ali Carter as both struggle for their best at the Crucible
Phil Haigh
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter are scrapping it out in Sheffield (Picture: Getty Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan has taken a 5-4 lead over Ali Carter in their first round clash at the World Snooker Championship, although neither could find their best form with any regularity at the Crucible.
The Rocket was playing his first competitive match since January and is using a new cue, so it is perhaps not surprising that he looked rusty at times.
The Captain won a couple of games to get through qualifying, but did so while struggling with a neck problem, so he too had a reason for not performing at his peak.
The pressure of the occasion and the intense gaze of the world on the Crucible may have also got to both men as we saw plenty of mistakes from the two players.
The old rivals may have been frustrated with themselves, but to their credit they did play the game in good spirits, shaking hands to commence the contest and bring the session to a close.
There were plenty of chances for both over the first three frames, with Carter taking the first and O’Sullivan grabbing the next two.
Then the Rocket fired up for the first time, knocking in a break of 107 to go to the interval 3-1 up and with some sort of confidence behind him.
Ali Carter got better over the session (Picture: Getty Images)
The Captain won the first frame after the interval and really should have levelled the match after making a break of 60 in the sixth, but O’Sullivan eventually pinched it.
While both would say they played poorly by their own high standards, there was some quality and the next two frames were good.
O’Sullivan went 5-2 ahead with a break of 85 before Carter made a 107 to get back within two.
The last frame of the session felt significant and O’Sullivan was in early with a brilliant long red but was unfortunate to knock in a red when going into the pack after potting the blue.
There were more chances for both but it was Carter who made an impressive clearance to take it and remain within one frame.
O’Sullivan struggled with long pots as he dealt with a new cue (Picture: Getty Images)
Neither will be delighted with how they played, but they won’t be disappointed with the scoreline given the standards they were producing.
‘Really hard fought,’ six-time world champion Steve Davis said on the BBC. ‘I think considering the fact it was the first session of their campaigns.
‘Even though it wasn’t absolutely the best snooker we’ve seen this week, it was still important stuff. I think they can both be pretty proud of their performance.’
He added: ‘I think every player is quite pleased to get the first session of the World Championship out of the way. But especially Ronnie, it’s been a while since he’s been on the competitive stage.
‘I’m not saying he’ll be breathing a big sigh of relief, but, ok we’re in the tournament now and let’s look forward to the second session.’
The second session is at 2.30pm on Wednesday as they battle it out to be the first to 10 frames.
Some people eagerly anticipated a “grudge match” judging by what happened at the start of the match, both opted for good sportsmanship over personal feelings as reported in this article in “the Mirror”.
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter shared a handshake(Image: BBC)
Ronnie O’Sullivan and rival Ali Carter appeared to have squashed their beef during their World Snooker Championship clash at the Crucible. The pair are battling for a place in the competition’s second round and ahead of their meeting, the Rocket offered a handshake, which was quickly accepted by his opponent.
There was a degree of anticipation surrounding how the pair would greet each other given the close proximity snooker stars operate within. Seated together ahead of the 2.30pm start, the camera cut away as O’Sullivan moved to join Carter.
But after the seven-time world champion earned the right to break, he offered his hand to The Captain, before a small exchange of words as he checked his surroundings. It was a rare moment to see before the opening break, and perhaps all the more surprising given the words the duo have shared in recent years.
Commentator and ex-world champ Stephen Hendry said: “Yeah, one of the opening exchanges has already happened. They actually shook hands at the chair, not the normal fist bump that Ronnie gives.
“It was actually quite a warm handshake, and that’s good to see. We want to see a classic match at the table, and it has all the ingredients of being so.“
Last year’s runner-up Jak Jones became the latest seed to fall in the opening round of the Halo World Championship, losing 10-4 to Zhao Xintong who he described as a genuine contender for the title.
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Jones lost to Kyren Wilson in the Crucible final last year, and they could have clashed again in the last 16 this time, but both have lost at the first hurdle, along with Neil Robertson and Barry Hawkins as four of the first six matches have been won by the player who came through the qualifying rounds. Instead, Zhao will face Lei Peifan in a Chinese derby on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals. Today’s result means there will be at least four Chinese players in the last 16 – a record.
Winner of the UK Championship in 2021 and the German Masters in 2022, Zhao was subsequently banned for 20 months for breaching betting regulations, but will return to the pro tour next season and is competing here as an amateur. Having practised relentlessly during his time away from the circuit, he has lost none of his flair and scoring power. Winning four matches in the qualifying rounds, Zhao fired 12 centuries and 23 more breaks over 50, and against Jones he made a 142 and nine more runs over 50. He is into the last 16 for the second time having beaten Jamie Clarke in 2022 before losing to Stephen Maguire.
“I don’t see anyone who is playing better than him,” said Jones. “If he wins it, I wouldn’t be surprised at all and that would be good for the game. His long potting and scoring are good and he also has a good tactical game. There are players who have won a lot more, but I don’t see anyone in the tournament who is actually better than him.”
Zhao built a 7-2 lead in the first session on Sunday with top breaks of 84, 91, 142, 70, 76, 61 and 54. Jones rallied briefly this morning with 100 and 70 to close to 7-4. He als had first scoring chance in frame 12 but could only make 31. The Welshman failed to pot another ball as Zhao cleared with 70 then took the next two frames with 55 and 87.
“Overall I’m pleased with my performance, especially in terms of scoring,” said Zhao, the second amateur after James Cahill to reach the second round at the Crucible. “I put my opponent under a lot of pressure. Jak reached the final here last year, so I knew I had to play really well to have a chance of beating him. I lost the first two frames today but I just tried stay in my rhythm. That helped me recover and stay focused.
“This match was about regaining confidence. I won’t be back on tour until next season, so every match I play now is very important. I haven’t had many opportunities to compete this season, so whatever the outcome, I just wanted to do my best and show my game.
“The qualifiers were tough and intense, but they helped release some pressure and allowed me to build up momentum. My scoring was strong there, and it gave me a solid foundation to start the main event here. It felt great to be back. I’ve had some good matches here in the past, but I still haven’t achieved what I really want. Lei has played brilliantly and has shown he’s capable of winning titles. A lot of Chinese players are at that level now.”
Jones added: “I will try to forget this season. I have had a lot going on in my personal life for the last few years. I have time now to sort a few things out at home including my practice facilities, and I will hopefully come back stronger next season. I have my new born baby at home so I am looking forward to spending time with him.”
I must admit that I’m rather fed up to read about that James Cahill win. Yes, he won, he beat Ronnie who was seriously unwell but still tried to play. That was in the first round at the Crucible in 2019 and it was the only time Cahill beat Ronnie. If you can find the match on YouTube, or parts of it, you will see by yourself that Ronnie looked quite ill out there. He could heave withdrawn, and maybe he should have.
Zhao Xintong was awesome yesterday. It’s very obvious that he wants to redeem himself and that he has been working hard towards that goal.
Mark Allen’s biggest remaining ambition in snooker is to wear the Crucible crown and he got his Halo World Championship campaign off to a winning start by coming from 3-0 down to beat Fan Zhengyi 10-6.
Allen has won the UK Championship and the Masters, 11 ranking titles in all and started the current season as world number one, but admits that his career would be incomplete if he doesn’t lift the sport’s most famous trophy. “I am here to win the tournament and have four very tough opponents in front of me,” said the 38-year-old today after an impressive opening victory.
Despite a slow start in the early exchanges on Sunday, he recovered to lead 5-4 overnight and in today’s second session the world number eight converted that into a comfortable victory to reach the second round for the 14th time. The Northern Irishman will face Chris Wakelin in a last-16 clash which starts on Thursday afternoon and finishes on Friday evening.
Since winning the invitational Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in December, he has been below his best, and failed to qualify for the 12-man Tour Championship earlier this month. But today’s success will give him confidence, and he may take extra belief from the fact that Luca Brecel and Kyren Wilson both had quiet seasons before going all the way to the ultimate prize.
A break of 88 in the opening frame today extended Allen’s lead to 6-4. China’s Fan led 59-5 in frame 11 when he failed to convert a short-range plant on a red to a top corner, allowing Allen to claw his way back into the frame and eventually snatch it with a 33 clearance from the last red. The 12th also came down to the last red and Allen trapped his opponent in a tough snooker, creating the chance to clear for 8-4. A run of 102, his second century of the match, stretched Allen’s lead.
After the interval, former European Masters champion Fan fought back, making an excellent 86 for 9-5. Allen was on the brink of victory in frame 15 until he missed a red to centre on 57, and his opponent made 74 to narrow the gap again. But Allen remained composed and sealed the result with a 63 in the 16th.
“I didn’t do much wrong to go 3-0 down, but I am mentally stronger than I have been in the past and I just took one frame and one shot at a time,” added Allen, who reached the semi-finals in 2009 and 2023, but is the most successful ever player yet to appear in the final. “I got as much as I could out of that session to go 5-4 ahead and that’s probably where I won the match.
“I have been working hard on the mental side recently, talking to (psychologist) Paul (Gaffney) every day. On that side I feel I am back where I was 18 months ago and that will help me win frames. I have also lost some weight by eating carefully, walking a lot and having ice baths and saunas. I feel in a good place.
“Chris Wakelin is one of the most improved players on tour this season and he would have learned a lot from his win over Neil Robertson. I like the way he plays because he is aggressive and goes for his shots no matter that the score.”
I can’t comment on that match as I saw next to nothing of it but I’m glad to read that Mark is finally seriously taking care of his physical fitness. The Crucible is an endurance test, mentally, nervously and physically. Allen is currently competing in the World Championship for the 23rd time. He has only reached the one table setup twice, which is disappointing for a player of his quality, and has never won a match at that stage. I’m certain that his lack of physical fitness in the past has a lot to do with it.
At the end of a day in which he reflected on three decades of competing at the Crucible and memories of his late father, all-time legend John Higgins switched his focus to the table and battled to a 10-7 victory over Joe O’Connor to reach the last 16 of the Halo World Championship.
It has been a tough time for the Higgins family as wife Denise’s father suffered a heart attack last Tuesday, though thankfully he is now recovering at home. After tonight’s match Higgins, who made his Crucible debut in 1995, said: “Today was the most emotional I have ever felt, going out to play, given everything over the last few days.
“There was a moment last night when I was sitting with my boy (second son Oliver), he’s going down to London studying for a few months. It brought so many memories back, when I was sitting with my dad 20 years ago. This morning on my way over I was in tears, thinking about different things. I was totally drained. To get out (of the first session) 5-4 was a result because Joe was playing brilliant. I got back to my apartment and crawled into bed, and slept for two hours which was the best sleep I have had in years. Tonight I felt so much better.“
Having passed today’s test, Higgins will hope for a steady nerve over the coming fortnight as he chases a fifth Crucible crown. Over the past two months he has shown vintage form, beating O’Connor in the final of the World Open and Mark Selby in the final of the Tour Championship, so his game could hardly be in better shape. Set to turn 50 in just four weeks, the Scot retains a burning ambition to win the biggest titles. Through to the second round in Sheffield for the 11th year in a row and 27th time overall, he will meet Xiao Guodong over 25 frames on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Higgins trailed 5-4 going into this evening’s session but dominated the first three frames with a top break of 101 to go 7-5 ahead. O’Connor pulled one back, then came from 37-0 down to take frame 14 for 7-7. The 15th lasted 37 minutes and came down to the colours, Higgins potting green, brown and blue to go 17 points ahead. O’Connor got the snooker he needed on the pink, but was then trapped in a snooker himself and escaped but left Higgins a straight-forward pink to a baulk corner to regain the lead.
That proved the key moment as world number three Higgins compiled breaks of 114 and 59 to win the last two frames.
“I will give it everything, which I have always done every year,” Higgins added. “Tonight there were a few shots where I had a bit more inner belief and steel because I have won a couple of tournaments. In the last few years here at pressure moments I was faltering, but I stood up well tonight.“
John Higgins is one of the all time greats and he was too clever for O’Connor yesterday. He’s too clever for most of the tour actually …
Ronnie is due to start today, in the afternoon. I hope that there will be no last minute withdrawal. I’m not sure I will watch it “live”.
Meanwhile in Belgium …
The 9th DMT tournament was played during the week-end in Glabbeek, Belgium. Organised by Gery De Mol It featured 166 participants, from 20 different countries. Iulian Boiko won the event, beating Julin Leclercq in the final. Iulian also scored the tournament HB, a 147.
Antoni Kowalski won the lottery, and gave half of his “lucky gain” to a local hospital. Thank you Antoni.
Why am I sharing this? To show, once again, that there IS interest for snooker in mainland Europe, and there are quality players on the continent. But the way WST is running the main tour is not helping them to develop to their full potential. When I read Ken Doherty’s bio, and him complaining about how hard it was for him to come and live in the UK… I was fuming. It is much, much harder for mainland Europe players, even nowadays. They are more isolated than Ken was, they have to cope with everything in a foreign language, in a foreign culture and, alas, probably more often than we know about with hostility. I was once verbally abused and threatened while sitting on a bus in London, simply because I was speaking French on the phone with my husband … just saying.
This will be a looong post … Four matches concluded yesterday and WST published a substantial report on each of them, and rightly so, because three of the four were hard fought thrillers. So here goes … but, maybe, first, grab a cup of coffee or tea and biscuits…
Xiao Guodong continued to build on his career-best season as he won a match at the Crucible for only the second time, beating Matthew Selt 10-4 to reach the last 16 of the Halo World Championship.
At the age of 36, Xiao has made a huge leap forward in his career in 2024/25, winning his first ranking title at the Wuhan Open, reaching the final of the Champion of Champions and climbing into the top 16. A seed at the Crucible for the first time, he is determined to finish the campaign on a high note, and today’s result doubled his tally of wins at the Crucible, his only previous success coming in 2017 when he beat Ryan Day. Xiao’s next opponent is John Higgins or Joe O’Connor.
“Everyone wants to play their best at the Crucible, it’s such an important event,” said Xiao, who lives just one minute walk from snooker’s most famous venue. “This season I have won a title and been in nine quarter-finals. I want to be at my best in the last tournament. I have played Matt for many years, I know how good he is. He won his qualifying match from 8-3 down, he is very dangerous. I had to be at my best. I am very happy to win. I won’t think too much about the next round, I will just try to enjoy it with no pressure.“
Xiao built a 7-2 lead in the first session on Saturday with top breaks of 69, 120, 73, 109 and 57. Selt hit back this morning with runs of 54 and 83 to close to 7-4, and had a chance in frame 12 to clear from 53-8 down, but crucially missed the pink to a centre pocket after potting the last red on 33. Xiao took advantage by clearing the colours, and that proved the key moment as he added the last two frames with 62 and 52.
Along with Ding Junhui, Xiao is something of a father figure for the growing contingent of successful Chinese players as he has lived in the UK for 17 years. He helps them to learn English and settle into life away from their families. Back in his home city of Chongqing, he is also involved in coaching and nurturing young talent.
This year there are a record ten Chinese players among the 32 at the Crucible, and already Xiao and Lei Peifan are into the last 16, while Zhao Xintong could follow them as he leads Jak Jones 7-2.
“I am very proud,” Xiao added. “Lei was unbelievable last night (beating defending champion Kyren Wilson 10-9). When I look back 20 years ago there was only Ding and Marco Fu. Now to have ten Chinese players at the Crucible is amazing. In the future there will be many more young talents. I see them come to the UK, I am an older player and I can help them, I always try my best.”
Mark Williams summoned a sensational charge to come from behind and see off talented Chinese 21-year-old Wu Yize 10-8 and make the second round of the Halo World Championship in Sheffield.
Having lost an epic first round clash 10-9 against another of China’s finest young players Si Jiahui last year, three-time World Champion Williams was determined to come out on the right side this time around. With Wu seemingly in the ascendancy at 8-7 up this afternoon, Williams produced three brilliant frames to power over the line.
The Welshman has shown signs of his brilliant best this season, having won the Champion of Champions in November. Despite this, Williams turned 50 last month and has bemoaned the deterioration of his eyesight, citing his 10-3 loss to Ding Junhui at the Tour Championship as a particular low.
Although he is set for lens replacement surgery in June, he ditched his contact lenses today and it appeared to pay dividends with his performance.
Wu departs disappointed not to score a first match win at the Theatre of Dreams, having lost to Neil Robertson in his only other appearance. However, he can reflect on a fine season, where he reached finals at the English Open and the Scottish Open.
They came into this afternoon with Williams holding a slender 5-4 advantage. Wu immediately levelled up, before a break of 101 saw Williams regain the lead at 6-5. The next two frames were traded to leave Williams 7-6 ahead at the mid-session interval.
When play got back underway, Wu seized the initiative with two on the bounce to move 8-7 ahead. He crucially missed a red with the rest when on the verge of taking the 16th, Williams won the ensuing safety battle and cleared to steal on the black and restore parity.
That proved to be a key turning point, with the 26-time ranking event winner firing in breaks of 58 and 75 in the next two frames to secure a brilliant 10-8 victory. Williams will now face either Barry Hawkins or Hossein Vafaei.
Williams said: “I don’t like saying it, because I’ve just beaten him, but he has the potential to win this tournament. The long potting is just something as good as I’ve ever seen. Every time I broke off and left a long red he potted it, he was incredible. Once he tightens up on a few loose shots he is going to be amazing. I’m glad I’ll be finished before he gets much older.
“I’m not going to out-pot him or out-score him, but I definitely have a better safety game. That is what I had to try and do. I got stronger towards the end and potted a few good ones myself. It is in there, I just have to drag it out.
“It is hard to describe because there is a scoreboard by the black pocket and I can’t see the numbers. I’ve got to get to the blue spot before I can see it. That is nothing to be ashamed of it is just how it is. I’m at the stage where I have to try something like the lens replacement or it isn’t going to get any better.”
If Mark Williams eyesight is as bad as he describes, and I have no reason doubting him, it’s a miracle that he can play at all as well as a testimony how powerful the human brain can be if properly trained because Mark literally works on what his brain “remembers” and on the imprinted automatism rather on what he actually sees …. As for Wu, he’s a marvellous player, from 3-0 down to 4-3 up 466 unanswered points, but it wasn’t enough. Of course, he is still very young and still learning. If he evolves properly he’ll be a menace in a couple of years… and why should he not? As it is those two served the fans a thrilling and hugely entertaining match.
An ecstatic Hossein Vafaei couldn’t contain his joy, as he roared out mid-clearance during the deciding frame of a 10-9 win over Barry Hawkins in the opening round of the Halo World Championship.
A stunning display from the Iranian number one saw him battle to keep himself in contention. He fired in four centuries on his way to a final frame, having never led during the entire match. Vafaei was 50-0 up in the decider, but still some way shy of the winning post, when he roared out after potting a red to the green pocket.
The former Shoot Out champion went on to complete a break of 73 which saw him claim victory and set up a clash with three-time World Champion Mark Williams. Vafaei will be gunning for a first ever Crucible quarter-final.
This was only a second match win at the Theatre of Dreams for world number 24 Vafaei, who has come through qualifying in each of the last four years. He beat Ding Junhui in 2023, before falling foul of a 13-2 loss to Ronnie O’Sullivan in a fiery encounter. Last year Vafaei fell short against Judd Trump in the first round.
Defeat extends Hawkins’ torrid recent record in snooker’s showpiece event. He’s only won three matches at the Crucible since 2018 and hasn’t been beyond the second round during that period. However, he can reflect on a strong season which has seen him make finals at the UK Championship and the German Masters.
They came into this evening with Hawkins leading 5-4 and the Londoner took the opener to extend his cushion. Vafaei then responded with back-to-back century breaks of 104 and 107 to restore parity at 6-6.
Hawkins went 8-7 ahead when Vafaei made 110 to draw level once more. It was the Englishman that first moved to the verge of victory, making 106 to lead 9-8. A tight 18th frame went the way of Vafaei and he then made that emotional run of 73 in the last to get over the line. The moment of victory was the first time that he had led during the entire match.
“In the moment, during the deciding frame, my mind went negative. I had to change something around. I needed to give something a go and let the animal come out again. It was a trick to my mind. When you get close to crossing the line, people can make mistakes. That was the only way,” said 30-year-old Vafaei.
“I was under lots of pressure. All the way I was down. What can I do? I’m always under pressure. I couldn’t handle it at the end. I had to show some emotion or I’m not human. I had to show to the fans that we feel the pressure. People want to see this.
“Beating the world number 11 in the Crucible with four centuries is the best performance I have had. The numbers don’t lie. I could easily have given up and not continued. I kept believing in myself that the game was there.”
I didn’t actually watch that match. Some people can look at two or more screens simultaneously, I can’t … so I missed it. Still, there is something I want to comment on. Some fans may have been shocked or upset by Hossein’s emotional outburst. First, I find it strange that fans are upset by a player’s reaction when the said player opponent clearly is not. Of course, people in the north of Europe, especially males, are taught to keep their emotions in check, that crying is not on, that they have to be “strong”. In the eastern Mediterranean regions and in the Middle-east, men showing emotions are not “judged” that way. Emotions are expressed much more openly, positive emotions as well as negative ones like sorrow or anger. I now live in Greece for several years and I see it every day. Sometimes tourists don’t know how to react to this, and may even feel upset. Yet, I think this “emotional openness” is much healthier than the constant “restrain” that is expected to be the norm in Northern Europe.
Chris Wakelin thwarted a Neil Robertson comeback to prevail 10-8 and score his first ever match win at the Crucible on day two of the Halo World Championship.
Wakelin has endured some difficult defeats in snooker’s biggest event. The last two years have seen him lose in the final round of qualifying. Before that, there were three first round losses at the Crucible, including a gut-wrenching 10-9 defeat to Judd Trump on debut. This time the Rugby cueman says he is thrilled to finally make some positive memories in Sheffield.
It comes off the back of a tremendous season for world number 20 Wakelin, who reached the final of the International Championship and made his Masters debut in January. Off the table, he also became a father for the first time with the birth of his daughter.
Defeat for world number nine Robertson means he will have to wait another year in his hunt for a second Crucible crown. The 2010 World Champion hasn’t been beyond the second round for four years and failed to even qualify 12 months ago.
However, tournament victories this season at the English Open and World Grand Prix have seen him return to the world’s top 16 and give him optimism for the future.
Wakelin held a hefty 7-2 advantage coming into tonight, but that was soon wiped out. Breaks of 117, 69 and 53 helped Robertson to five on the bounce and parity at 7-7. Former Shoot Out winner Wakelin then stopped the rot with 90 in the 15th to lead 8-7.
Robertson made it 8-8, but just couldn’t find a way to get in front, with Wakelin taking two near 30-minute frames to emerge victorious. He will now face either Mark Allen or Fan Zhengyi.
“A lot of the memories in my career, up until two years ago, were negative. It was the match I nearly won or the ball I nearly potted. It is amazing now to think that some of my matches will be remembered in years to come for good things,” said 33-year-old Wakelin.
“The psychological part of this game, is the game. We all have the skill to play out there, but doing it on the day, when it matters, and dealing with the fact this is the World Championship adds a lot of extra pressure.
“It’s what you expect from Neil. He is a champion for a reason. I was prepared for it to go close today. I was ready for him to come back at me and I managed to get over the line in the end.”
Robertson said: “Yesterday was a really cruel session. I don’t think I’ve ever played so well to be 7-2 down. I only missed one ball and Chris played really well. He was aggressive and rode his luck and I was the opposite.
“I’ve been really consistent throughout the season and won a couple of titles to fly up the rankings. I came into this with a positive mindset. It isn’t the end to the season that I wanted, but I would have taken this overall.”
This was another thrilling high quality match. I have come to really appreciate Chris Wakelin. Here is someone who, in the past, struggled badly with mental health issues. I remember him at tournaments, some years ago, looking utterly miserable and physically unfit. But Chris didn’t surrender to his problems, he looked for solutions and found answers. He took on ballroom dancing in an attempt to improve both his mental health and his physical fitness. It may look like a rather peculiar “move” but it worked well for him. Here is someone whose career has been transformed by winning the Shoot-out. Positive experiences can work miracles for a person and Chris is a prime example of that.
Debutant Lei Stuns Wilson As Crucible Curse Strikes Again
Kyren Wilson became the 20th first-time Crucible champion to fail to defend the title the following year as he suffered a dramatic 10-9 reverse against debutant Lei Peifan on the opening night of the Halo World Championship.
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In a match of momentum swings, Wilson won six frames in a row to lead 6-2, then lost seven in succession to trail 9-6, before a late fight-back, only to lose the decider. Having conquered the Crucible 12 months ago, it’s a massive blow for the 33-year-old who had high hopes of retaining the title after a prolific season in which he has won four trophies. Wilson becomes the eighth first-time Crucible champion to lose in the first round the following year, and it ends a streak of nine consecutive years in which he has reached at least the second round.
Early Exits
First time champions to lose their opening match the following year
Terry Griffiths 1980 Steve Davis 1982 Dennis Taylor 1986 Graeme Dott 2007 Neil Robertson 2011 Stuart Bingham 2016 Luca Brecel 2024 Kyren Wilson 2025
China’s 21-year-old Lei won his first ranking title earlier this season at the BetVictor Scottish Open, but said that tonight’s win was the biggest of his career so far as he rose to the occasion on his maiden appearance at snooker’s most famous venue. From 6-2 down, he hit his opponent with a barrage of high scoring, and after a late wobble he regained his composure to make an excellent break in the deciding frame.
The world number 39, who nearly missed out on the Crucible as he had to come from 7-4 and 9-8 down to beat Gao Yang 10-9 in the final qualifying round, is through to the last 16 and will face Zhao Xintong or Jak Jones from Friday next week.
“It feels amazing. The Scottish Open was my first title and this was my Crucible debut — both moments are very special to me. The emotions were just as intense,” said Lei.
Lei trailed 6-3 after the first session but dominated from the start tonight, firing breaks of 50, 53, 60, 75 and 89 to take the first four frames and lead 7-6. After the interval, Wilson had the first scoring chance in frame 14 but made just 19 before missing a red to a top corner and Lei punished him with 69. Another Wilson missed red to a corner pocket early in the 15th proved expensive as his opponent compiled a superb 92 for 9-6.
World number two Wilson pulled one back with a break of 106. In the 17th, Lei was two pots from victory on a run of 60 when he over-cut the third last red to a top corner, and Wilson later cleared with 45 to close the gap to 9-8. Lei led 40-10 in the 18th when he missed a mid-range red and Wilson’s 60 drew them level.
Kettering’s Wilson had one clear chance in the decider but made just 14 before failing to split the pack off the blue. He later made a safety error and Lei’s tremendous break of 66 made him the first player to beat a defending champion in their debut match at the Crucible since Stuart Bingham knocked out Stephen Hendry in 2000.
Wilson said: “It’s really hard to take, it really hurts. Lei potted some incredible balls and held himself together in the end, he seems like a cool character and I wish him all the best. It has been a long season, I have done so much. I am proud of the way I have handled it and hopefully I have given you guys (the media) plenty to write about. We are all trying to grow the game, make it more popular and help the younger generation to see it as a great sport to get into.“
Lei added: “I didn’t think I had much chance when the draw came out. But the moment I stepped into the arena and saw the crowd, I just felt so excited. It really lived up to what I saw on TV all those years ago. I was definitely feeling pressure towards the end. I calmed myself down and told myself not to over-think — just to let go and play freely.
“I really enjoyed playing here – the crowd, the lighting, the whole atmosphere was amazing. I was fully immersed and happy throughout the match. In the deciding frame when the curtain came up, it felt like I was in a final. I used to watch that scene on TV when I was a kid – now it was real, I was actually sitting next to that table. It brought back so many childhood memories. And of course, it made me want to win even more – I’ve worked hard to get here, and I wanted to give something back to the fans and to myself.“
On the other table, Barry Hawkins took a 5-4 lead over Hossein Vafaei. World number 11 Hawkins, runner-up here in 2013, top scored with 93 in taking a 3-1 lead. After the interval, Iran’s Vafaei rallied with breaks of 56 and 123 to restore parity at 3-3. Hawkins pulled away again to 5-3, but Vafaei made an important 64 in the last of the evening to trail by just one frame overnight.
Kyren Wilson has been a fantastic World Champion all season, a great ambassador for his sport. Yesterday he came up short, just, against an inspired Lei Peifan. Lei is very strong under pressure, he showed that earlier this season, the way he won the Scottish Open, his first ranking title. Obviously, Kyren must be very disappointed right now but he should be proud of himself and of the way he represented his sport. I hope that, in a few days, he can see how well he did as a first time World Champion. Thank you Kyren.
Hereafter, the ES pundits, including Ronnie, discuss various topics, among other things, why/how the Crucible is special and Zhao Xintong’s as well as Judd Trump’s, Mark Selby an John Higgins’ chances. This was before the evening session . Zhao starts today…
Zhao served his ban, came back hungry, regained his tour card via an official route, and earned his invite via an official route as well. He deserves to be here.
WST and the WPBSA will offer a bonus of £40,000 for a 147 made at the Crucible during the 2025 Halo World Championship.
Snooker’s greatest tournament runs from April 19th to May 5th in Sheffield. Only 14 maxiums have been made at the Crucible, by ten different players.
There is also an extra bonus of £147,000 for any player making two 147s across the four majors this season. Jackson Page banked this bonus during the qualifying rounds last week but it could still be won by up to two more players. Zhang Anda and Shaun Murphy have already made one maximum each in the majors this season.
And there is a £15,000 high break prize which applies across the qualifiers and Crucible stages. Page stands to win this, but it would be shared if another player makes a 147.
Crucible Maximums 1983 – Cliff Thorburn 1992 – Jimmy White 1995 – Stephen Hendry 1997 – Ronnie O’Sullivan 2003 – Ronnie O’Sullivan 2005 – Mark Williams 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan 2008 – Ali Carter 2009 – Stephen Hendry 2012 – Stephen Hendry 2020 – John Higgins 2022 – Neil Robertson 2023 – Kyren Wilson 2023 – Mark Selby
Only Ronnie and Stephen Hendry have made more than one maximum at the Crucible. Both of them made three. Hendry’s third and last one came in the very last match he won at the iconic venue, just days before he retired from the sport.
Today was the traditional media day ahead of the World Championship … with the traditional Group photo
Missing in this picture are Judd Trump and John Higgins who is facing a difficult family situation as his father in law, his wife Denise’s father, had a heart attack and is a critical condition. I can only hope that things will turn for the best for Denise’s father and for the whole family.
Ronnie is struggling with his game, and because of that with his confidence, but still sounded reasonably positive. He wants to give himself two years to try and rediscover the way he used to play. The puzzling thing is that he feels that the issue has been “building” for the last six years, i.e since 2019. He’s won the World Championship twice since 2019 as he did lift the trophy in in 2020 and in 2022. It’s also interesting to hear that he’s been practicing with Barry Hawkins who is an excellent all-rounder who often performs well at the Crucible. Ronnie is due to play Ali Carter who seems to be in really excruciating pain with his neck injury.
Also check the comments section for pictures and videos, found by Kalacs but shared by Csilla on Kalacs behalf … Thanks Kalacs and Csilla!
Ronnie O'Sullivan 