The 2025 World Seniors Snooker Championship is well underway at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, and what a dramatic start it has been! The opening rounds have seen several upsets, including the shocking exits of snooker legends Jimmy White and Ken Doherty, both of whom were aiming for glory in this prestigious event.
On Thursday, the first round of the championship kicked off with high expectations for White, a four-time champion and one of the most beloved figures in the sport. However, he faced a tough opponent in Alfie Burden, who had previously defeated White in the final of the 2023 tournament. This time, Burden was determined to avenge his earlier defeat, and he did just that with a convincing 4-1 victory over the iconic Whirlwind.
Burden opened the match strongly, showcasing his skills with breaks of 48 and 34 to take an early 2-0 lead. White, known for his tenacity, fought back in the third frame with an impressive break of 82, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Burden responded with a stunning long black shot, crucially securing his win with a final break of 92.
After the match, Burden reflected on his victory, saying, "It’s an honour to play Jimmy at The Crucible. He’s a dear friend of mine and I don’t enjoy beating him, but I tried hard to win today. I’m here to win it this year. Anything other than that and I’ll be disappointed." White, on the other hand, expressed his frustration, admitting, "I struggled all day, which is disappointing because I’m playing well. But that’s snooker, I’m afraid."
In another surprising turn, Ken Doherty, the two-time World Seniors finalist, also exited the tournament early, losing 4-2 to debutant Charl Jonck. Doherty had initially taken a 2-0 lead, but Jonck rallied back with impressive breaks of 64 and 63, ultimately dominating the final frames. "The nerves and butterflies were in my stomach for the first frame or two," Jonck admitted after the match. "I was shaking a little bit, but I settled down. It’s amazing to be moving on."
The excitement didn’t stop there, as Hassan Kerde made a significant impact in his first appearance at the Crucible, delivering a commanding 4-0 whitewash against Tony Knowles. Kerde’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, with contributions of 53, 62, 66, and 59 throughout the match. "I’m just a lucky player!" Kerde exclaimed, reflecting on his dream of competing at this level.
Meanwhile, Tony Drago managed to edge out Gerard Greene in a thrilling decider, winning 4-3. Drago, who has been a semi-finalist in the last two years, opened the match with a swift break of 79, but Greene fought back to take a 3-2 lead. Drago’s resilience shone through as he controlled the final frames to secure his place in the quarter-finals.
The quarter-final lineup is now set, featuring some exciting matchups: Alfie Burden will face Tony Drago, while Dominic Dale will take on Joe Perry. Hassan Kerde will compete against Charl Jonck, and Wayne Townsend will battle Aaron Canavan. This year’s championship has already proven to be full of surprises, and with the caliber of players remaining, the excitement is sure to continue.
As the tournament progresses, the atmosphere at the Crucible Theatre is electric, with fans eager to see who will emerge victorious. Dennis Taylor, the 1985 world champion, commented on the high standard of play this year, stating, "I think the standard has gone up significantly. I’m so impressed with them all. I’ve been involved with the seniors since it started and the standard has never been higher. I think the remainder of this tournament is going to be superb."
In addition to the thrilling matches, the first ‘Business of Sheffield Day’ was staged on Thursday, coinciding with the championship. Special guests included Dennis Taylor and Sheffield City Council Leader Tom Hunt, who spoke about the strong ties between snooker and the city. Hunt emphasized his vision for Sheffield and the importance of events like the World Seniors Championship in promoting local business and community engagement.
The day began with a business breakfast at the Radisson Blu Hotel, attended by around 30 local business representatives. The morning concluded with an engaging discussion between Jason Francis, Chairman of World Seniors Snooker, and Dennis Taylor, who reminisced about his historic connection to Sheffield since competing in the first World Snooker Championship in 1977.
As the championship continues, fans and players alike are eager to see how the tournament unfolds. With the unexpected departures of White and Doherty, the path to the title is wide open, and new stars are ready to shine. Will Burden capitalize on his momentum? Can Kerde continue his impressive debut? Only time will tell as the action heats up at the Crucible Theatre.
