The World Snooker Championship semi-finals kicked off with an electric atmosphere at the Crucible Theatre on April 30, 2025, as two thrilling matches unfolded. Judd Trump faced off against Mark Williams, while Ronnie O'Sullivan went head-to-head with Zhao Xintong in a battle that left fans on the edge of their seats.
In the first semi-final, Judd Trump, the reigning world number one and 2019 champion, built a 5-3 lead against the seasoned Welshman Mark Williams. The match began with a tense and somewhat shaky start, filled with errors from both players. Williams opened the scoring with a break of 73 in the first frame, showcasing his experience. However, Trump quickly responded, capitalizing on Williams' mistakes to level the match at 2-2 after the second frame, which lasted a grueling 39 minutes.
As the session progressed, the competition intensified. Williams produced a stunning break of 116 to draw level again at 3-3, but it was Trump who seized the momentum with a break of 109 in the eighth frame, taking a crucial two-frame lead into the overnight break. Trump's performance, although not his best, demonstrated his resilience and ability to capitalize on his opponent's errors.
Trump, who had secured his spot in the semi-finals after a remarkable comeback against Luca Brecel, expressed his admiration for Williams, calling him "a legend of the game." The two have a storied rivalry, with Trump having previously triumphed over Williams in the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters last summer, where he narrowly edged out a 10-9 victory.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final match between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Zhao Xintong was just as captivating. The two players entered the match with contrasting experiences—O'Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, faced Zhao, a first-time semi-finalist. Despite O'Sullivan's pedigree, Zhao proved to be a formidable opponent, taking an early 2-0 lead and finishing the first session with a break of 86, the highest of the match to that point. The first session concluded with both players deadlocked at 4-4, setting the stage for a thrilling continuation.
O'Sullivan, who had previously described his quarter-final victory over Si Jiahui as a "let-off," demonstrated his trademark skill and composure, winning three frames in a row at one point. However, Zhao's impressive performance and ability to respond under pressure kept the match evenly balanced. As the players prepare for the next session, the excitement builds for fans eager to see who will emerge victorious.
As the World Snooker Championship continues, both semi-finals promise to deliver high-stakes drama and showcase the incredible talent present in the sport today. Live coverage of the matches resumes on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10:00 BST, as the players return to the table for the next installment of this thrilling tournament.
