Ronnie O’Sullivan will begin his record-extending 23rd World Snooker Championship quarter-final against Si Jiahui this afternoon as ‘The Rocket’ continues his bid for a history-making eighth world title.
O’Sullivan wasted little time in securing a routine 13-4 win over Pang Junxu in the second round at the Crucible Theatre and now faces talented youngster Si, who shockingly made the semi-finals here in 2023 at the age of just 20. Now 22, the Chinese star has established himself in the top 16 but a best-of-25 clash against the greatest snooker player of all time still represents a huge challenge for the fearless potter.
Before O’Sullivan v Si gets underway in Sheffield, another mouthwatering quarter-final clash begun in the morning session as snooker legends John Higgins and Mark Williams squared off once again. Both men turned professional in 1992, the same year as O’Sullivan, and celebrate their 50th birthdays this year but are still at the top of their game.
There was a raucous reception for the two men, who have seven world titles between them and a long-standing rivalry that included meeting in the 2018 world final, where Williams prevailed 18-16 in a titanic tussle. This quarter-final got off to a similarly compelling start as Higgins raced into a 5-1 lead but Welshman Williams dug deep to claim the final two frames of the session and trail just 5-3 heading into this evening’s second session.
Follow all the scores, results and latest updates from the World Snooker Championship below:
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World Snooker Championship 2025 - live updates
- Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his quarter-final against Si Jiahui (best-of-25) | Live on the BBC
- O'Sullivan has cruised into the last eight as he seeks a history-making eighth world title
- Latest score: Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-1 Si Jiahui (best-of-25)
- The Rocket's fellow 'Class of '92' veterans John Higgins and Mark Williams do battle in another quarter-final
- Latest score: John Higgins 5-3 Mark Williams (best-of-25)
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-1 Si Jiahui
15:24
,
Luke Baker
O’Sullivan hasn’t settled properly here. Switches to play left-handed for a red down the cushion but it’s a deceleration and he misses it. Hangs his head in frustration. Leaves Si right in among the balls.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-1 Si Jiahui
15:23
,
Luke Baker
Good break-off by O’Sullivan and it forces a safety mistake from Si, so the Rocket is in first with a long red. But soon breaks down on just 6 points, giving Si a chance.
The Chinese star will hope to get a few points here with four or five loose reds but soon runs out of position. Takes on a thin snick to the corner but misses it by a distance. Leads 14-6 but he’s stuck the red up for Ronnie
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-1 Si Jiahui - SI WINS FRAME TWO
15:17
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Luke Baker
Nice cannon on the reds after potting a black and the frame is at Si’s mercy as he passes 50 points. Just need to keep his composure for a few more pots.
Tough pot on a red when he’s on 60. Good recovery shot, goes up for the green.
He’s rolling now and gets over the line in the frame. Can he complete the century? He does. The final green takes him to 100 and although he then misses the brown, it doesn’t matter.
Si Jiahui wins frame two to get on the board at 1-1.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-0 Si Jiahui
15:08
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Luke Baker
Maybe Si is starting to find his long game in frame two. Digs out a nice long pot to the left corner, dropped in.
The black follows and this is a good scoring chance. He has to let O’Sullivan know he’s in this match.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-0 Si Jiahui - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME ONE
14:58
,
Luke Baker
A fun safety exchange with fluked snookers and the cueball rebounding off the jaws of pockets brings oohs and ahs from the Crucible crowd.
Eventually O’Sullivan pulls out a long pot on the red and then pots the pink to leave Si needing snookers. Clears up to the blue for good measure and Ronnie O’Sullivan wins a very scrappy opening frame to lead 1-0
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-0 Si Jiahui
14:53
,
Luke Baker
Not great control of the cueball by Si and he’s forced to go round the angles of the table to try and land on the final red. Cannons into the brown so doesn’t manage it.
Si trails 59-29 with one red left but O’Sullivan is snookered and misses the red, hitting the pink instead. 59-35 now. Hits it next time and the red is safe. Frame still very much alive though.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-0 Si Jiahui
14:51
,
Luke Baker
Si gets a look-in with a red to the yellow pocket to start but he breaks down on 16 when he misses a very makeable pot. Frustrating for the youngster.
This time, O’Sullivan punishes him. Makes 31 and just needs one more red to get over the line and win the frame. But then a miss! Wow, didn’t see that coming.
The red rattles the jaws of the right corner and Si comes back to the table trailing 59-16 - 43 points behind and 51 points remaining.
If Si could somehow steal this frame that would be massive... Big test for the Chinese cueman.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-0 Si Jiahui
14:43
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Luke Baker
Si goes close with another attempted long pot but it does miss and leaves O’Sullivan right in among the balls.
It goes slightly wrong when he tries to split the pack, tricky pot to right middle and it drifts to the near jaw. O’Sullivan leads 28-4 but that’s two early chances he’s let slip by.
Meanwhile, Si has a third long pot attempt of the match and for a third time he rattles the jaws. Scrappy start
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-0 Si Jiahui
14:38
,
Luke Baker
Bad omen for Ronnie straight away? He takes the opening break-off and the cueball ends up in the top corner pocket. Not how he drew it up...
No damage done though. Si has a look at a long red but it rattles out. Leaves O’Sullivan an easy starter and he pots a black to follow but immediately runs out of position and doesn’t have a pot ona red. Just eight points.
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Si Jiahui
14:36
,
Luke Baker
MC Rob Walker has brought all four players out on to the baize. A rejuvenated Luca Brecel v Judd Trump on the other side of the wall which should be VERY fun but we’ll be focused on the Rocket, Ronnie O’Sullivan facing Si Jiahui.
Let’s get going.
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Si Jiahui
14:31
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Luke Baker
We’re not far away from this afternoon’s session getting underway now.
Ronnie O’SUllivan’s taking on young superstar Si Jiahui. Providing Si doesn’t get overawed playing the snooker GOAT, this could be an absolute epic.
World Snooker Championship 2025: Results, draw and schedule in full
14:20
,
Luke Baker
The World Snooker Championship rolls on with the action at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield heating up as the tournament reaches the quarter-final stage.
A number of top contenders have already fallen, including defending champion Kyren Wilson - pipped by Lei Peifan in the first round - and four-time winner Mark Selby, who was knocked out by training partner Ben Woollaston.
There have been no such problems so far, though, for a returning Ronnie O’Sullivan. The seven-time champion made a mockery of his recent period of inactivity by reeling off three centuries in five frames as he completed a 10-4 win over Ali Carter to reach the second round, and backed it up with a routine win over Pang Junxu to reach a record-extending 23rd quarter-final.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Ronnie O'Sullivan rates his form as 'probably two out of 10'
14:01
,
Luke Baker
Despite being the greatest snooker player of all time, Ronnie O’Sullivan has spent his career talking himself down and downplaying his chances.
It was no different after his comfortable 13-4 win over Pang Junxu yesterday, with ‘The Rocket’ rating his form as “probably two out of 10”.
He’s adamant he’ll need to massively improve in order to beat quarter-final opponent Si Jiahui - the talented Chinese youngster.
“I wasn’t bothered about getting it over quickly – I need all the table time I can get,” insisted O’Sullivan
“I think I’ve dragged them (my opponents) down to a poorer level. I think they expected me to play better and were maybe shocked that I didn’t, but I don’t think Si will fall into that trap, and that’s what makes him dangerous.”
Asked about his chances of winning the tournament, O’Sullivan responded: “I’d have to play a lot better. I’d have to start potting a few long ones, pinning them to the back rail a bit more. It needs a bit more improving in those areas really.”
Latest score: Chris Wakelin 2-6 Zhao Xintong
13:51
,
Luke Baker
On the other side of the wall from Williams and Higgins this morning, two qualifiers were in quarter-final action.
Zhao Xintong, still technically an amateur but who is a former UK Championship winner will be back on the main tour next season after the end of his ban for match-fixing and world No 20 Chris Wakelin.
Zhao is one of the most talented player around and his potting was sublime this morning as he built a big lead but Wakelin managed to snatch the final frame of the session to limit the damage to 6-2. Still a long way back for the Englishman though.
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Luca Brecel seal quarter-final places with quick-fire wins
13:40
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Luke Baker
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Luca Brecel wrapped up one of the quickest Crucible sessions in history as they took just over a quarter of an hour to seal their respective places in the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals.
The two former winners returned on Monday evening, each requiring a single frame to complete wins over Pang Junxu and Ding Junhui respectively.
Brecel won the sprint to the dressing room as he summoned a break of 71 to see off the 2016 finalist 13-4, and he was swiftly followed by O’Sullivan, who rifled in a break of 95 to complete his victory over Pang by the same score.
John Higgins leads Mark Williams 5-3 at the end of the first session
13:20
,
Luke Baker
A really good session of snooker, that. They’ll resume at 7-pm this evening for session two.
John Higgins 5-3 Mark Williams - WILLIAMS WINS FRAME EIGHT
13:10
,
Luke Baker
Williams lines up a long red to right corner and crunches it into the pocket! Superb pot and that should get him over the line. 60 points ahead with 59 remaining.
He’ll want a couple more pots just to stop Higgins returning to the table and he does exactly that.
Mark Williams wins frame eight to narrow the gap to 5-3 at the end of the session.
John Higgins 5-2 Mark Williams
13:05
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Luke Baker
At 59-0 he’s left with no shot except a double attempt on the red. Close but no cigar, rebounds off the middle jaw.
A really good lead but there’s still 67 points left, so Higgins could still steal this. Big ask given where the balls are but he’ll try.
John Higgins 5-2 Mark Williams
13:04
,
Luke Baker
It’s now 150 points without reply for Williams between last frame’s century and this break. Fantastic effort from 5-1 down.
Still going up and down for the blue but not making a mistake. Three more reds needed to leave Higgins needing snookers. He leads 59-0
John Higgins 5-2 Mark Williams
13:02
,
Luke Baker
Williams looks focused as he knuckles down here. Runs out of position a bit when the break reaches 29 but that’s a cracking pot on the red to left corner. Pink and black are tied up so he’s working with the blue, which makes it harder work.
Really battling here. Reaches the 40-mark and still going.
John Higgins 5-2 Mark Williams
12:56
,
Luke Baker
What a start! A thin snick to the right middle from Williams for an opening red. So, so thin but it’s there!
Followed by the green floated to the opposite middle pocket. Chance for points immediately here.
John Higgins 5-2 Mark Williams
12:55
,
Luke Baker
Final frame of the session and it’s a big one. Can Mark Williams close the gap to just two frames after the first session?
John Higgins 5-2 Mark Williams - WILLIAMS WINS FRAME SEVEN
12:53
,
Luke Baker
Williams in again. Taking his time, considering every shot and he gets toward his half-century.
This is classy from the Welshman and it’s a clean victory in the frame as he moves beyond 70 points. Can he even make a century here? No reason why he shouldn’t.
Black to yellow is the key shot as ever. Black is potted and he’s nicely on the yellow! Rolls it in and that means he passes the 100 mark. Huge ovation for that. Goes on to make 104 before missing the brown going for an exhibition shot.
Mark Williams wins frame seven to close the gap to 5-2.
WATCH: Williams misses brown in key moment
12:40
,
Luke Baker
There’s been a few little moment that have determined the course of this match so far. This eventual missed brown after Williams had done the hard work in frame four, just before the mid-session interval, was one.
Seemed to change the trajectory of things as the Welshman fell 3-1 behind. It’s now 5-1, of course
He won't have been happy to lose this one...#HaloWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/hVMXEahiOZ
— WST (@WeAreWST) April 29, 2025
John Higgins 5-1 Mark Williams - HIGGINS WINS FRAME SIX
12:38
,
Luke Baker
Ruthless. John Higgins wins frame six at one visit with a big break and he’s now in complete control of this quarter-final at 5-1.
It’s all about damage limitation for Mark Williams now. He needs to find a way to somehow win the final two frames of this session or as a bare, bare minimum split them. Even then, at 6-2 behind, it’s a mighty hill to climb.
John Higgins 4-1 Mark Williams
12:32
,
Luke Baker
Higgins set about first eradicating Williams’ lead and then building one of his own. The reds are really nicely spread at the business end of the table and the black is available into both pockets. This looks ominous for the Welshman...
The break moves beyond 30, then 40 points with minimal fuss. Just a few more pots for the frame.
John Higgins 4-1 Mark Williams - HIGGINS WINS FRAME FIVE
12:19
,
Luke Baker
A significant moment as John Higgins wins frame five and extends his lead to 4-1.
It means that Higgins can’t trail going into this evening’s second session. Can Williams win the remaining three frames to force it back to 4-4 or will the Scotsman have a lead this evening?
John Higgins 3-1 Mark Williams - HIGGINS WINS FRAME FOUR
11:46
,
Luke Baker
No mistake from John Higgins. Pots brown, blue and pink to win a back and forth frame four.
Really compelling frame, both men could have won it and Higgins will lead 3-1 at the mid-session interval. A good start for the Scot in the race to 13
John Higgins 2-1 Mark Williams
11:44
,
Luke Baker
Chance for Williams - can clip the yellow in with a thin cut. DOES SO and he’s on the green. Work to do with the rest of the clearance though.
Deep screw off the green to give himself a shot at the brown, BUT HE MISSES IT FROM MID-RANGE! And sticks it up right over the middle pocket. Higgins will clean up here.
John Higgins 2-1 Mark Williams
11:42
,
Luke Baker
Williams tidies up final two reds and then tries to move the yellow from the side cushion off the blue. Makes contact, moves it and big applause from the audience. Not really pottable though in the middle of the table.
Plays safe but he’s narrowed his deficit to 59-49 as we move on to the colours.
John Higgins 2-1 Mark Williams - WILLIAMS WINS FRAME THREE
11:10
,
Luke Baker
No century break for Williams as he tries to pot a red to the middle on 72 but it jaws out.
Higgins decides to play on, needing four snookers, but it feels a forlorn hope. He quickly misses the pink and concedes the frame
Mark Williams wins frame three to get his first one on the board
John Higgins 2-0 Mark Williams - HIGGINS WINS FRAME TWO
10:52
,
Luke Baker
That could be huge in the context of this match. Higgins has made a career out of winning frames from well behind and he’s done it again here.
A simply sublime total clearance to pinch it 65-61. John Higgins wins frame two in vintage Higgins fashion.
That one will hurt Mark Williams.
John Higgins 1-0 Mark Williams
10:49
,
Luke Baker
It’s not easy, with a red safe on the right hand cushion and another on the bottom cushion. Higgins rattles in the latter to keep things going and move to 16 points - the one on the right is the real problem though.
He saves it until last, gets a good angle on the preceding pink to try and dislodge it. GREAT SHOT! CANNONS IT OFF THE CUSHION.
Pots it down the rail with the rest and Higgins now just needs the colours, all on their spots, to steal this frame.
John Higgins 1-0 Mark Williams
10:46
,
Luke Baker
Oh no! Williams is looking to pot frame-ball - a red to the left corner but he overcuts it! He would pot that nine times out of 10.
The Welshman is 61 points ahead with 67 still on. Higgins couldn’t steal this, could he? He gets to work trying to do exactly that
John Higgins 1-0 Mark Williams - HIGGINS WINS FRAME ONE
10:34
,
Luke Baker
Higgins wins the safety battle and he’s able to get back in amongst the ball and pick off the remaining reds.
This time there are no mistakes and Higgins clears the table with a break of 69 and John Higgins wins frame one.
Perfect start for the four-time world champion, both men had chances but he prevails