Ronnie O’Sullivan is on the brink of making history as he approaches a record-extending 23rd World Snooker Championship quarter-final after a commanding performance against Pang Junxu at the Crucible. The seven-time champion turned a 6-2 overnight lead into a 12-4 advantage during their second-round match, requiring just one more frame to secure his spot in the last eight on Monday evening, April 28, 2025.
Despite his impressive lead, O’Sullivan appeared uncomfortable throughout the match, often looking far from his best. This tournament marks his first competitive outing since January, and while he managed to fire back-to-back centuries, he frequently expressed dissatisfaction with his form. O’Sullivan’s performance was nonetheless effective, as he made short work of his 25-year-old opponent, who struggled to keep pace.
Pang Junxu started the second session with a flicker of hope, winning the first two frames and briefly threatening to mount a comeback reminiscent of their first-round meeting in 2023, where he rallied from 9-4 down to win three frames in a row. However, frequent errors dashed any chance of a significant fightback, allowing O’Sullivan to swiftly regain control. With back-to-back half-centuries, O’Sullivan surged ahead to lead 8-4 at the mid-session interval.
As the match progressed, Pang failed to score in the next two frames, while O’Sullivan’s confidence grew with two more centuries, extending his lead to 12-4. This commanding position left the final session on Monday evening looking like a formality for the snooker legend.
Meanwhile, Judd Trump also made headlines during the tournament, hitting his 100th century break of the season on April 27, 2025, which earned him a £100,000 bonus from the World Snooker Tour. Trump’s journey in the second round against Shaun Murphy was not without its challenges; he initially struggled but eventually moved into a 10-6 lead after overcoming a slow start. His only regret from the first session was missing a difficult yellow when he was on 98, which delayed his century milestone.
The evening session of Trump’s match began with a tense frame filled with misses, fouls, and snookers, but it quickly transformed into a battle of big breaks. Trump edged ahead, and after a near miss in the 12th frame, where he ended on 97, he bounced back to take the 14th frame with a 106. Shortly thereafter, he received a rare mid-frame standing ovation after sinking a black that pushed his next effort to 105, ultimately reaching 132 as he cleared the table.
Trump’s achievement marks the second time he has reached a century of centuries, joining Neil Robertson, who holds the record with 103 in the 2013-14 campaign, as the only players to accomplish this feat.
In another exciting match, former champion Luca Brecel is also on the cusp of victory, needing just one frame to complete a comprehensive win over Ding Junhui. Brecel had a remarkable run, reeling off 11 frames in a row after Ding opened the first session on Saturday, April 26, 2025, with a stunning break of 141. Although Ding managed to halt Brecel’s momentum by winning frame 13, he still trails significantly at 12-4, putting the pressure on him to make a comeback in the final session.
In addition to these matches, Zhao Xintong reached the quarter-finals for the first time after completing a thrilling 13-10 win over his compatriot Lei Peifan. Meanwhile, Si Jiahui holds a narrow 9-7 advantage over Ben Woollaston in their second-round clash, adding to the competitive atmosphere of the tournament.
As the World Snooker Championship progresses, fans can expect more thrilling moments and potential upsets as the remaining players vie for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals. O’Sullivan’s journey, marked by both brilliance and discomfort, continues to captivate audiences as he seeks to further extend his legendary status in the sport.
