The World Snooker Championship is in full swing at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, where the top talents of the sport are competing for snooker’s most prestigious title. The tournament kicked off on Saturday, April 19, 2025, and will run until Monday, May 5, 2025, featuring a lineup of 32 players, including 16 top-ranked players and 16 qualifiers. This year’s championship has already witnessed some shocking upsets, including the first-round exit of defending champion Kyren Wilson.
Wilson, the world number two and reigning champion, faced a tough challenge against Lei Peifan in his opening match. In a nail-biting finish, Wilson lost 10-9, falling victim to the so-called ‘Crucible Curse’ that has plagued many previous champions. This unexpected defeat has set the tone for a tournament filled with surprises and fierce competition.
The first round will conclude on Thursday, April 24, 2025, with matches being played in a best-of-19-frame format. The stakes are high, with the eventual champion set to take home a staggering £500,000 from a total prize fund of £2,395,000.
As of Tuesday, April 22, the tournament schedule featured several high-profile matches. The day began with Zhang Anda facing Pang Junxu at 10:00 AM, followed by Shaun Murphy taking on Daniel Wells at the same time. The afternoon session saw Ding Junhui competing against Zak Surety at 2:30 PM, while Ronnie O’Sullivan faced off against Ali Carter in a highly anticipated clash at 2:30 PM as well. The evening session included Si Jiahui against David Gilbert and Judd Trump against Zhou Yuelong, both at 7:00 PM.
O’Sullivan, participating in his 33rd consecutive World Championship, has had a competitive start against Carter. After the first day of their match, O’Sullivan held a narrow lead of 5-4. The six-time world champion showed glimpses of brilliance, including a stunning century break of 107 in frame four, showcasing why he is regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport.
Steve Davis, the legendary snooker player, commented on O’Sullivan’s performance, stating, “Ronnie will know he does not want to beat himself up too much if he is missing from distance. In the past when his long game has been off he has done that, but perhaps he knows this is uncharted territory and he will not punish himself mentally for making mistakes.”
Meanwhile, Ding Junhui managed to secure a solid victory over Zak Surety, winning 10-7 despite Surety’s impressive performance that included four century breaks. This match highlighted the intense competition and skill level present in this year’s championship.
In other first-round results, Neil Robertson suffered a disappointing exit, losing 10-8 to Chris Wakelin, while Hossein Vafaei pulled off a thrilling victory against Barry Hawkins, winning 10-9. Mark Allen overcame Fan Zhengyi with a score of 10-6, and John Higgins defeated Joe O’Connor 10-7.
As the tournament progresses, fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches. The second round will commence on Thursday, April 24, featuring matches that will be played over a maximum of 25 frames. The excitement is palpable as players vie for the coveted title and a place in snooker history.
Looking ahead to the second round, the schedule includes Lei Peifan facing Zhao Xintong, Chris Wakelin against Mark Allen, and the winner of O’Sullivan vs. Carter facing Zhang Anda or Pang Junxu. The anticipation is building as the best players in the world aim for victory and the chance to lift the World Championship trophy.
With the tournament still in its early stages, fans can expect more thrilling action and unexpected outcomes as the world’s best snooker players battle it out for supremacy at the Crucible Theatre. The atmosphere is electric, and the drama is only just beginning to unfold.
