The World Snooker Championship 2025 is heating up at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with some of the sport's biggest names battling for glory. As of Sunday, April 27, 2025, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Luca Brecel are both one frame away from securing their spots in the quarter-finals, each leading their respective matches 12-4 against Chinese players Pang Junxu and Ding Junhui. O'Sullivan, a seven-time champion, is chasing his eighth title—a record in the modern era—while Brecel, who won the championship two years ago, aims to continue his impressive form.
O'Sullivan, 49, started strongly, leading 6-2 after the first session. Despite a brief resurgence from Pang, who pulled two frames back with breaks of 87 and 62, O'Sullivan quickly regained control, winning six consecutive frames with remarkable breaks of 79, 80, 105, 135, and 62. "I feel good and I'm looking to finish strong when we resume," O'Sullivan stated, reflecting his confidence as the match continues on Monday at 19:00 BST.
On the other side of the table, Brecel's path to the quarter-finals has been nothing short of spectacular. After arriving just 25 minutes before his match due to a private jet flight from Belgium, he lost the opening frame but then stormed back to win seven consecutive frames, showcasing his attacking prowess. Brecel's Sunday session saw him maintain his dominance with breaks of 53, 75, and 56, leaving Ding trailing at 11-1. Although Ding fought back, securing three frames including back-to-back centuries of 107 and 110, Brecel's earlier lead proved too significant.
In another exciting match, world number one Judd Trump holds a 10-6 lead over 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy. Trump recently celebrated a milestone, making his 100th century of the season during this match, which earned him a £100,000 bonus from the World Snooker Tour for reaching this impressive landmark. "I’m so proud of myself," Trump exclaimed after the match. "It’s a great achievement to hit 100 centuries in a season, and I’m glad to do it in front of such a great crowd." His century came in the 15th frame, and he has been in excellent form throughout the tournament.
On the other hand, Zhao Xintong made headlines by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in his career after a hard-fought 13-10 victory over Lei Peifan. Leading 10-6 after the second session, Zhao looked poised for a maximum 147 break but fell short, finishing with a break of 72. Although Lei threatened a comeback by winning three consecutive frames, Zhao clinched victory with a break of 54. "I’m so happy, that’s the first time into the quarter-finals and I’m so proud of myself," Zhao said, expressing his joy at the achievement. His next challenge will be against Chris Wakelin, who has already eliminated former world champion Neil Robertson.
In another match, Si Jiahui is currently leading Ben Woollaston 9-7, and their contest will also conclude on Monday at 13:00 BST. Si, a semi-finalist two years ago, began the session with a 5-3 lead and has managed to maintain his advantage against Woollaston, who previously defeated world number four Mark Selby in the opening round. Both players have shown impressive form, with Woollaston making a break of 100 in frame 13 and an 85 in frame 15, but Si's crucial frame win on the black could prove decisive.
The World Snooker Championship has seen its share of upsets, with defending champion Kyren Wilson and four-time winner Mark Selby both eliminated early in the tournament. The competition has been fierce, and as the quarter-finals approach, the stakes are higher than ever. The matches on Monday will set the stage for the quarter-finals, which begin on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, featuring exciting matchups including Zhao Xintong against Chris Wakelin and O'Sullivan or Pang Junxu facing Si Jiahui or Woollaston.
As the tournament progresses, fans are treated to high-quality snooker with thrilling performances and unexpected twists. The atmosphere at the Crucible Theatre is electric, and the excitement is palpable as players vie for the coveted title. With O'Sullivan and Brecel on the brink of quarter-final appearances, and Trump chasing further glory, the stage is set for an unforgettable conclusion to the World Snooker Championship 2025.
