World Snooker Championship 2025

After an absolutely epic tussle Mark Williams is through to the semi finals with a 13-12 win over John Higgins.
Williams won four frames in a row with runs of 73, 53 and 52 taking him to within one of victory against his out of sorts opponent.
Typically though with his back against the wall the Scot found something from somewhere and sensationally hit back making breaks of 94, 114 and 67 to set up a decider. 12-12.
The glorious finale this fantastic encounter deserved.
The Welshman in first with 24 before playing safe. Next chance Higgins. Makes 31 and plays safe. Tension at fever pitch. A series of safety exchanges, fouls and mini contributions follow.
Goes down to the colours.
Higgins pots yellow, green and a superb brown but misses the blue.
Williams needs all three colours to win on the black.

Blue.....IN
Pink..... IN
Black? IN

Mark Williams wins an absolute classic 13-12 on the final black.

Whatever happens in this tournament now i doubt any match remaining will be as compelling as that one.
A privilege to have witnessed it.

Higgins 5-1
Williams 12-8 (11 out of 14)
12-12

Amazing from both of them.

Zhou Xintong has duly completed a
13-5 win over Chris Wakelin to take his spot in the last four.

A four frame burst of magic from Luca Brecel to go 7-5 in front of Judd Trump merely fired up the Bristolian to brutally put him in his place and win 13-8.
In the evening Trump went into terminator mode and dismissed his opponent in very short order.
Trump is playing far better than anyone else left in. If he carries on in the same form I feel it's going to be extremely difficult to beat him.
If I had tickets for Monday night I would be panicking right now as that last session may not be needed whoever Trump faces in the final. I fear at least his semi final being very one sided and the final being even more so .
That would be a real shame.
I would much prefer two 17-16s and an 18-17 won on a respotted black.
Alas....alas .

Let's hope my prediction record carries on being completely useless. Otherwise I fear it could be a bit of a damp squib end to the tournament

Credit to Luca for making a go of it to reach an 8-7 lead, but that dithery 16th frame turned out to be decisive.

At least Si Jiahui is similarly taking the fight to Ronnie, even though it may ultimately be in vain.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is through to the last four with a 13-9 victory over Si Jiahui.
It was anything but convincing at times for The Rocket who struggled desperately with his long potting and shots where side was imparted.
Si played far better in sessions two and three but ultimately could not bridge the four frame gap from session one and succumbed.

Day Thirteen:

Session One: 1pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 4-4 Zhou Xintong
(Resumes Friday 10am)

Session Two: 7pm
Judd Trump (2) 5-3 Mark Williams (6)
(Resumes Friday 2.30pm)

I'm loving it! All 3 players I've got money on are in the semi finals. I even predicted Higgins v Williams would go to the wire, although I didn't envision it happening quite the way it did.

Zhao Xintong is now the first amateur to reach the semi finals at the Crucible. (Edit) He'll join the ranks of Ding Junhui and Si Jiahui as a Chinese World Championship semi finalist . With his ranking points, if he doesn't progress further, he'll at least be entering the professional ranks as one of the top 64.

Ronnie v Zhao: I'm conflicted as to who I want to win this one. I want Ronnie to win his record breaking breaking 8th title. Now's the time, he may never get so close again! On the other hand I also want Zhao to be the first amateur to win the World Championship. It appears Zhao's nickname is the cyclone. Will he blow Ronnie away, or will Ronnie be able to capitalise on the chances Zhao gives him. Hopefully a combination of both and the match ends 17-16 either way.

Judd v Mark Williams: The much anticipated rematch since the Saudi Masters final which Judd won in the deciding frame on the final black. I'm conflicted on whether wanting Judd to win 17-16 in a Hollywood style ending, or whether to want Judd to win more comfortably this time. Either way, Mark Williams can't be underestimated, he's a tough, tricky, unconventional opponent, and on his day he's very hard to beat.

It could be the last time that you see 3 of the top Brits playing at the Crucible.
Age and failing eyesight is starting to affect Williams and Higgins. With O'Sullivan it also seems to be motivation.

Where are all our young players nowadays?

Zhao has really punched above his weight so far - I hope he at least keeps in touch with Ronnie to make it to the final session. I know it seems pessimistic to see 10 frames as a good goal, but nobody else has really hung in long enough, though Si was no disgrace.

Judd might have the tools to get past Mark, but how do you beat the un-psyche-out-able one?

It would be a good year for Trump to finally make it as a 2-time champ. But he'll have his work cut out.