Ronnie O’Sullivan Pulls Ahead in Crucible Clash Against Si Jiahui
Seven-time World Snooker Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has taken a commanding 6-2 lead over China’s Si Jiahui in their World Championship quarter-final match. The veteran Englishman, who is looking to secure an unprecedented eighth title in the modern era, found himself in control after a hard-fought first session, although there was plenty of drama along the way.
The opening frame set the tone for a scrappy start, with O’Sullivan edging it in typical fashion. However, the 22-year-old Si responded in style, firing in a stunning century break that briefly threatened to shift the momentum in his favor. Unfortunately for Si, a series of uncharacteristic misses allowed O’Sullivan to extend his lead to 4-1, with the “Rocket” producing three half-century breaks to solidify his advantage.
Si did manage to fight back in the sixth frame with a solid break of 60, but a crucial miss on the black in the seventh proved costly. O’Sullivan capitalized on the opportunity to take the frame and extend his lead. The session ended on a high note for O’Sullivan, who sealed it with a brilliant 121 break, showcasing his skill and experience under pressure.
Judd Trump Leads Brecel 5-3 in Other Quarter-Final
Meanwhile, in the other quarter-final, Judd Trump has taken a 5-3 lead over Belgium’s Luca Brecel, with both players producing some scintillating snooker. Trump, the current world number one, continues his remarkable run this season, having compiled two century breaks in the session, taking his total to 102 for the year. He is now just one century away from equaling Neil Robertson’s record of 103 century breaks in a single season, a feat set back in 2013-14.
Trump raced into a 5-1 lead, with Brecel struggling to keep pace. However, the 2019 World Champion showed his class with a stunning response, producing breaks of 68 and 128 to pull back to 5-3. The match now remains delicately poised, with Trump holding the upper hand heading into Wednesday’s resumption of their best-of-25 contest.
John Higgins Takes Control in ‘Class of 92’ Clash Against Mark Williams
In another exciting quarter-final, four-time World Champion John Higgins leads Welshman Mark Williams 5-3 in their ‘Class of 92’ encounter. Both players, who have been staples of the snooker scene for over three decades, were met with a warm reception from the Sheffield crowd as they entered the arena for their eagerly anticipated clash.
Williams, at 50 years old, became the oldest player to reach the quarter-finals at the Crucible since Steve Davis in 2010. Higgins, who turns 50 on May 18, just days after the World Championship final, also received a standing ovation as he made his way to the table. The pair’s rivalry, which dates back to their professional debuts in 1992, has seen them face off 42 times on the main tour.
The match itself has lived up to the billing, with high-quality snooker on display. Higgins made a break of 69 to go 2-1 up, but Williams had a chance to level the match, only for the Scotsman to snatch the fourth frame on the black after Williams missed a crucial shot. Williams responded with a break of 72 to take his first frame, but missed a brown in the fourth, which allowed Higgins to take control.
Higgins then won three frames in a row, opening up a 5-1 lead, but Williams refused to go down without a fight. The Welshman responded with breaks of 104 and 59, closing the gap to 5-3. The two players, both veterans of the sport, will resume their battle at 19:00 BST, with everything still to play for in what promises to be another dramatic clash.
Zhao Xintong Takes Commanding 6-2 Lead Over Chris Wakelin
In the morning session, China’s Zhao Xintong has taken control of his quarter-final against Chris Wakelin, leading 6-2 after the first session. Wakelin, who had already exceeded expectations by reaching this stage of the tournament, made a strong start by taking the opening frame with a superb break of 93. However, Zhao quickly found his rhythm, winning six frames in a row to put himself in a commanding position.
Wakelin did manage to claim the last frame of the session, reducing his deficit to 6-2, but Zhao remains firmly in control. The 28-year-old former UK Championship winner has been a revelation in recent years, and his form here in Sheffield suggests that he could be a serious contender for the title.
Zhao’s Controversial Past and Comeback to Snooker’s Top Table
Zhao’s journey to the quarter-finals has been even more remarkable given the controversy that surrounded him a few years ago. The Chinese star was one of ten players banned for match-fixing offenses, although he did not directly throw any matches. Zhao was found guilty of being a party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches himself.
Zhao served a 20-month ban for his involvement and was subsequently removed from the World Snooker Tour. However, he has made a successful return to the sport and is the only one of the ten players involved in the scandal to have come back to action. Although Zhao is officially classed as an amateur for this tournament, his performances have shown that he still has the talent to compete at the highest level.
Zhao has already secured his return to the full-time tour for next season, and his run to the quarter-finals here at the Crucible is a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite his previous setbacks, Zhao’s return to the sport has been welcomed by fans, and his performances have made him one of the most exciting players to watch this year.
