Ronnie O’Sullivan begins his World Snooker Championship semi-final against Zhao Xintong with ‘The Rocket’ continuing his bid for a history-making eighth world title.
O’Sullivan had too much for Si Jiahui in the quarter-finals, though he admitted he got “lucky” and maintains he is playing below his best during this current run in Sheffield.
‘I’m playing awful and the cue feels awful,” O’Sullivan told BBC Sport. “It’s the worst situation to be in as a snooker player. I’m still in so I’ll keep punching away, keep trying. He played poor in the whole match really, let me off the hook loads of times, so I got lucky again.”
In the other semi-final, Judd Trump continued his ominous form by dispatching Luca Brecel while adding a record 104th century of a memorable season. And ‘The Ace in the Pack’ will take on O’Sullivan’s fellow ‘Class of 92’ rival Mark Williams, who prevailed on the final black in an unforgettable match with fellow veteran John Higgins.
Follow all the latest scores and updates from the 2025 World Snooker Championship below:
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World Snooker Championship 2025
- Ronnie O'Sullivan meets Zhao Xintong in semi-finals after dispatching Si Jiahui
- Judd Trump meets Mark Williams later tonight in other semi-final at Crucible
- O'Sullivan bemoans cue problems and claims he got 'lucky' in quarter-finals
- Trump eager to face 'legend' Williams after 'grinding down' Luca Brecel
- World Snooker Championship 2025 semi-final schedule in full
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-2 Zhao Xintong
13:43
,
Jack Rathborn
Oooh, that’s a telling miss from Ronnie! A problem throughout the tournament, that blue drifts away after a nice long red. O’Sullivan back to his chair and Zhao with a chance to mop up for a three-frame lead?
After a tidy break, Zhao plays a majestic safety to tuck in behind the blue at the baulk end, he makes Ronnie work to escape and now we enter a gripping safety battle at 1-32.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-2 Zhao Xintong
13:39
,
Flo Clifford
Zhao secures the frame 62-13 with a lovely long-range red at a tight angle, that just about drifts wide of the yellow on its spot, into the pocket. He misses the black on the next, but O’Sullivan concedes the frame.
Who predicted this for a start?
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-1 Zhao Xintong
13:34
,
Flo Clifford
O’Sullivan just doesn’t look comfortable so far, completely missing the red to left corner.
Zhao gets unlucky on the same pocket, leaving the red nestling against the cushion.
It’s a stop-start frame so far and O’Sullivan looks a little furstrated after putting too much topspin on a short-range black to bottom right. Zhao remains cool and composed and has the chance to string something together here.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-1 Zhao Xintong
13:26
,
Flo Clifford
Zhao looks totally focused. A miss on the yellow doesn’t matter as he takes the frame 82-2.
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Zhao Xintong
13:25
,
Flo Clifford
O’Sullivan can’t quite take advantage, but then Zhao misses a fairly routine red to bottom left, letting the Englishman back in, 63 behind.
Slightly stop-start now, but Zhao returns to form with a brilliant long-range pot.
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Zhao Xintong
13:20
,
Flo Clifford
A smooth start by Zhao Xintong. He does well potting the black, dispersing a crowd of reds in the process and positioning them perfectly. A break of 60 for the Chinese player before a small slip puts him in a spot of bother on the pink, so he plays safety.
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Zhao Xintong
13:14
,
Flo Clifford
‘The Rocket’ wins the toss but his break-off is less than ideal as he sends the white into the green pocket!
An early lead for Zhao, who has settled quickly, and calmly sets about knocking the reds in.
The stage is set
13:11
,
Flo Clifford
The players get a standing ovation from a packed crowd at the Crucible.
Zhao Xintong high-fives some of the audience as he walks down the stairs. He looks pretty relaxed and seems to enjoy the moment.
The volume ratchets up a notch for Ronnie O’Sullivan.
World Snooker Championship 2025: Semi-finals
13:05
,
Flo Clifford
Nearly time for the first of the semi-finals.
A reminder that the last-four encounters are best of 33 frames, played over four sessions.
Will Ronnie O’Sullivan extend his bid for a record eighth world title? Let’s find out...
World Snooker Championship 2025: Results, draw and semi-final schedule in full
13:00
,
Flo Clifford
(All times BST)
Thursday 1 May
Semi-finals
13:00
Zhao Xintong v Ronnie O'Sullivan
19:00
Mark Williams v Judd Trump
Friday 2 May
Semi-finals
10:00
Zhao Xintong v Ronnie O'Sullivan
14:30
Mark Williams v Judd Trump
19:00
Zhao Xintong v Ronnie O'Sullivan
Shaun Murphy keen to change miss rule in snooker
12:46
,
Jack Rathborn
"Totally scrap it, the miss rule was always in the rules, it wasn't a new rule, stop playing deliberate fouls,” Shaun Murphy says.
“It's gone full circule, players are playing deliberate fouls, the rule needs taking out, I think it's bad, not trying to hit the ball, but get that tactical advantage.
“I would [implement the ball in hand rule] if it was up to me, after any foul, it'd put the cat among the pidgeons!"
World Snooker Championship 2025: Ronnie O'Sullivan's run to semi-finals
12:40
,
Jack Rathborn
First round: Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 10-4 Ali Carter
Second round: Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-4 Pang Junxu
Quarter-finals: Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-9 Si Jiahui
World Snooker Championship 2025: Zhao Xintong's run to semi-finals
12:33
,
Jack Rathborn
First round: Jak Jones (16) 4-10 Zhao Xintong
Second round: Lei Peifan 10-13 Zhao Xintong
Quarter-finals: Zhao Xintong 13-5 Chris Wakelin
Snooker to review transgender policy after UK Supreme Court ruling
12:27
,
Jack Rathborn
Snooker's governing body is to review its transgender inclusion policy in the aftermath of the landmark UK Supreme Court ruling.
The ruling stated that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex under equalities law.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) stated it “has always been that its policy would be subject to immediate review should there be a change in circumstances".
Currently, trans women are permitted to compete in snooker events if their testosterone levels are below a specified level over a period of 12 months before competing.
The WPBSA said: "This is a complicated issue as the WPBSA is a world body and has to ensure it complies with equality legislation around the world as well as in the UK."
Ronnie O'Sullivan cautious over competition in World Snooker Championship
12:15
,
Jack Rathborn
"I have relied on other people to win and that doesn't feel good for me. I always feel better when I force the opening and put the pressure on my opponents. You feel a lot better when you've won the match rather than they've lost it.
"Look at Judd and Mark [Williams] and Zhao, I won't be able to get away with the standard I have played the last three matches at."
John Parrott rejects Ronnie O'Sullivan's claim over lack of practice
11:48
,
Jack Rathborn
Ronnie O’Sullivan has previously claimed he doesn’t practice much, but BBC pundit John Parrott maintains ‘The Rocket’ is working as hard as ever.
“Don't listen to him saying he doesn't practice. He is in the club grafting like a Trojan, he puts the hours in and he wants to win,” Parrott said.
"You will never see anyone like him again. He's the best player I've ever seen. His cue ball control is at another level. He's on another level to anyone who has played this game."
'Drained' Mark Williams 'over the moon' to reach final four at Crucible
11:35
,
Jack Rathborn
"Draining,” Williams says reflecting on his big quarter-final win. “I was really drained this morning, two tough sessions then back.
“I lost four frames and potted two balls, then won it on the black, unbelievable. I would've just rolled in the blue.
“I felt really calm cleaning up the last few colours, just wanted to get through, drained, but I'm over the moon."
Zhao Xintong claims he is ‘stronger’ following snooker ban
11:08
,
Jack Rathborn
Ronnie O’Sullivan faces Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals today and the Chinese player admits he is now “stronger” since his snooker ban.
Zhao served a 20-month ban after a betting scandal and is now ready to battle with ‘The Rocket’ for a place in the final.
“I trusted that I can come back, but I’m really happy because I’ve come back to the semi-final so quickly,” Zhao said. “I think it’s a surprise for me. I’m not really ready, I had one year not playing competition. I think I’m stronger than before because it’s two years later, I think I’m stronger.”
Luca Brecel hails Judd Trump as ‘probably the best ever'
10:54
,
Jack Rathborn
“Yeah, absolutely. He’s incredible,” the Belgian said after his quarter-final defeat. “He’s so difficult to play against. Anyone in the draw I would have fancied beating but he’s just a different level.
“He’s just the best. Just his all round game, I think, you have many players who can score unbelievably, but he backs it up with great safety and great long-potting. That’s incredibly difficult and that’s the reason he’s number one.
“I think he’s been the best player for maybe the last five years, so it’s no surprise. He actually always plays like a number one, I think some years maybe the number one wasn’t as good as him. I think he’s probably the best number one that’s ever been, maybe.”
World Snooker Championship 2025 semi-final odds
10:40
,
Jack Rathborn
The bookies only make O’Sullivan a slight favourite over Zhao in the closest of the two semi-finals:
Zhao Xintong 11/8
Ronnie O'Sullivan 8/15
While Trump is a heavy favourite to prevail over Williams:
Mark Williams 11/4
Judd Trump 1/4
Emotional John Higgins reflects on quarter-final defeat to Mark Williams
10:27
,
Jack Rathborn
“I can’t be too down on myself,” Higgins explains. “I’ve lost a classic game there to an unbelievable champion. It’s given you guys great excitement, it’s given people back home great excitement. That’s why people tune into the World Championship and I’ve just come out on the wrong end of it.
“I think I’ve been one of those players who’s always had a good perspective. Sometimes when I lose in front of you guys it’s raw cause you’re just coming off. I know what’s more important in my life and she’s up there [nodding to wife Denise]. I know that.
“I give everything 100 per cent. At the end of the day if I lose it’s secondary now. It’s my job and I give everything. I lost and I’m devastated right now. It’s what happens. I go home and the family and loved ones will pick you back up and you get on with life.’
World Snooker Championship 2025 latest odds
10:15
,
Jack Rathborn
Judd Trump 5/6
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5/2
Zhao Xintong 5/1
Mark Williams 9/1
Ronnie O’Sullivan makes honest admission after ‘lucky’ run to World Championship semi-final
10:06
,
Jack Rathborn
Ronnie O’Sullivan said he “got lucky again” in his first competition since January as he secured a berth in the last four at the World Snooker Championship.
The veteran remains on course for a record eighth title at the Crucible, having dispatched Ali Carter and Pang Junxu with ease before winning a tighter encounter with former semi-finalist S Jiahui in the quarter-finals.
The 49-year-old won 13-9, having led 10-6 after Wednesday’s morning session.
He conceded three of the first four frames during the evening session but regrouped to book a semi-final against Zhao Xintong, who is competing as an amateur on his return from a match-fixing ban.
Ronnie O'Sullivan surges into semi-finals of World Snooker Championship after victory over Si Jiahui
10:01
,
Jack Rathborn
Ronnie O’Sullivan on the impact of psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters
09:51
,
Jack Rathborn
“Steve’s been amazing,” O’Sullivan admits. “I wouldn’t have got through the first round without Steve so Steve’s been incredible,’ he said. ‘It’s been a tough job for him this week. I’ve tried to give it my best and I have and just hanging in there.
“If I could afford him I’d have him every day but obviously he’s a busy man and I couldn’t afford to have him full time, so I try to time when I can have him. Obviously Sheffield is a big tournament so it’s nice to have him around when this event’s on.”
World Snooker Championship 2025: Results, draw and semi-final schedule in full
09:32
,
Jack Rathborn
(All times BST)
Thursday 1 May
Semi-finals
13:00
Zhao Xintong v Ronnie O'Sullivan
19:00
Mark Williams v Judd Trump
Friday 2 May
Semi-finals
10:00
Zhao Xintong v Ronnie O'Sullivan
14:30
Mark Williams v Judd Trump
19:00
Zhao Xintong v Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan bemoans cue problems and claims he got 'lucky' in quarter-finals
09:31
,
Jack Rathborn
“Not really no, I’m just grinding it out. I had some work done on my cue today, probably have to get a new ferrule, a new tip, it just feels awful, the cue,” O’Sullivan told the BBC.
“I’m playing awful and the cue feels awful. It’s the worst situation to be in as a snooker player. I’m still in so I’ll keep punching away, keep trying.
“He had lots of chances. I was trying all sorts, trying to hold the cue in a different place to get a bit of feel, I’ll just try anything.
“He played poor in the whole match really, let me off the hook loads of times, so I got lucky again.”
Judd Trump on facing 'legend' Mark Williams in semi-finals
09:30
,
Jack Rathborn
"I played really well tonight, I managed to give myself a boost this afternoon by staying level and that was the difference in the end,” Trump tells the BBC.
"I have played solid, I was always confident. I had the belief that I would grind him down and it's very nice to come out tonight and play well.
"I played Mark Williams the last time I was in the semi-finals and it was an epic, he is a legend of the game."
World Snooker Championship 2025
09:28
,
Jack Rathborn
Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s coverage of the World Snooker Championship 2025. Today the semi-finals kick off at the Crucible!
And there are four fabulous players remaining as Ronnie O'Sullivan takes on Zhao Xintong and Judd Trump battles Mark Williams.
‘The Rocket’ is playing down his chances and has grumbled about his cue, while Trump continues to knock in centuries, logging his 104th in the quarter-finals against Luca Brecel, in what has become a record-breaking season.
Standing in his way is ‘Class of ‘92’ star Mark Williams, who emerged from a dramatic match with John Higgins after knocking in the final black. Follow for all the latest updates.
