Snooker World Championship 2025: O’Sullivan and Zhao Level & Trump leads Williams in the semi-finals
The champion seven times, Ronnie O’Sullivan, is at 4-4 with Zhao Xintong after an entertaining opening session in their semi-final of the world championship.
The Zhao in China, 28, a former British champion who is in competition as an amateur, has shown few signs of nerves having reached the unique table configuration for the first time, being in the lead in an advance of 2-0 with ruptures of 60 and 62.
However, O’Sullivan, 49, appearing at this stage for the 14th time, clicked on speed and responded with three consecutive half-centurys when he took the following three images to lead 3-2.
The players then exchanged frames, Zhao breaking the pocket jar of the right corner of black while making an 86 to draw at 4-4.
Thursday evening, the world number one Judd Trump opened an advantage of 5-3 compared to the triple winner Mark Williams during his first meeting at the crucible since his fascinating semi-final in 2022.
The 50 -year -old Welshman, who is the oldest player to reach the last four since his compatriot Ray Reardon appearing at 52 in 1985, compiled breaks of 73 and 116 while shared the first four executives with the 2019 Trump champion.
Trump, who won three tournaments this season, including the Masters of Saudi Arabia, where he stung Williams in a decision maker, took the first frame after the mid-session interval after 52.
And while his opponent replied again, the 35 -year -old English won a daring seventh frame and punished Williams for missing a black to claim a cushion of two frames during the night by hitting his 105th century of the season.
O’Sullivan and Zhao resume their executive match for the best of 33 years, which should be played on four sessions, Friday at 10:00 am BST, with Trump and Williams who should get started at 2:30 p.m.
