The 2025 World Snooker Championship semi-final between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Zhao Xintong is finely poised at 4–4 after the opening session at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The match, played over a best-of-33 frames format, will resume tomorrow, with the first player to reach 17 frames advancing to the final.
Zhao, seeking his first appearance in a World Championship final, began the match strongly, capitalising on an early error by O’Sullivan, who inadvertently potted the cue ball during the opening break. This miscue awarded Zhao four penalty points and set the tone for the initial frames. Demonstrating composure and precision, Zhao secured the first two frames, establishing an early lead.
O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion and currently ranked fifth globally, responded with resilience. Despite expressing dissatisfaction with his cue’s new tip and describing his play as “awful,” he managed to win the next three frames, showcasing his experience and tactical acumen. Zhao, however, levelled the match at 3–3, and the players traded the subsequent frames to conclude the session at 4–4.
The match’s outcome remains uncertain, with both players exhibiting moments of brilliance and vulnerability. O’Sullivan aims to secure a record-extending eighth world title, while Zhao aspires to make history with his first final appearance. The semi-final will continue on Friday, May 2, with sessions scheduled for 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM local time, and the final session set for Saturday, May 3, at 2:30 PM.
In the other semi-final, Judd Trump faces Mark Williams, with their match commencing this evening. Trump, the world number one, is in formidable form, having recently achieved his 104th century break of the season. Williams, a three-time world champion, seeks to add another title to his illustrious career
