It is as we were heading into the evening session, with a four-frame difference separating Ronnie O’Sullivan and Si Jiahui, but neither player will take many positives from their displays so far.
It was more of the same as far as the Chinese player was concerned, failing to capitalise on mistakes as his cue ball control so often let him down when getting in to promising positions.
From O’Sullivan’s perspective, he started in ruthless fashion, digging in to build up an 8-3 lead, but untimely errors allowed Jiahui to pounce and stay within touching distance.
Many times Jiahui had golden opportunities to close the gap even further, but a number of puzzling and pacey efforts allowed the O’Sullivan to keep the world number 13 at arms length, leading 9-6 heading into the final frame of the session.
A terrific opening presented itself for Jiahui to get back to within two frames as O’Sullivan’s concentration deserted him, but a missed cut on the brown saw O’Sullivan rise from his slumber and stroke in a break of 64 to lead 10-6 heading into the evening session, which begins at 7:00pm this evening.
It is an uphill battle for Jiahui to make it to a second World Championship semi-final in three years, but consistency will be the answer if O’Sullivan continues to take his foot off the accelerator.
12:27 PM BST
O’Sullivan makes Si Jiahui pay and reclaims four-frame advantage (O’Sullivan 10 Jiahui 6)
The experience between both players is so telling, with O’Sullivan lifting himself out of his slump to secure a break of 64.
It’s as we were heading into the evening session with a four-frame difference, and Si Jiahui will be bitterly disappointed to not have closed the gap on O’Sullivan, who wasn’t at the races at all.
O’Sullivan will be hoping to lift himself as he requires three frames to progress, while Si Jiahui simply has to improve his control of the cue ball to give the ‘Rocket’ any problems.
The evening session will get underway at 7:00pm.
12:18 PM BST
Si Jiahui surrenders leading position once more (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 6)
Si Jiahui plays a ruthless pot in to the middle pocket before rifling a blue in to get his break underway.
He’s guilty of playing another red with too much pace but an excellent cut on the brown gets him back in to position.
Just 24 points into his break and Jiahui misses another brown though, and O’Sullivan pots a red into the left middle pocket.
Too many chances are going astray, and despite how poor O’Sullivan has been, he could get in to double figures for frames.
12:12 PM BST
More concerning shots from O’Sullivan (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 6)
This has the feeling of a massive frame in the context of the match, and Si Jiahui is up and running after another poor shot from O’Sullivan.
He can’t force in a tough black though and O’Sullivan rattles in a medium distanced red. But he loses his patience and plays a reckless double across the table to leave Jiahui with another chance.
The Chinese player plays safe but O’Sullivan doesn’t look in the right head space.
12:05 PM BST
Si Jiahui closes out frame 15 (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 6)
The reds are spaced out nicely and Si Jiahui has a fabulous opportunity to close the distance on an out-of-sorts O’Sullivan.
His cue ball control is far from perfect and he then makes a grave error again by going in off when potting the green.
O’Sullivan fluffs up another safety shot though and Jiahui is back in, executing three difficult reds to get him over the line in this frame.
It’s far from vintage play but a break of 45 ensures Jiahui gets back to 9-6, setting up a crucial final frame of this session.
11:57 AM BST
Questionable tactics from Jiahui but O’Sullivan blunders (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 5)
An all-out attack approach has been adopted by Si Jiahui, as he bizarrely attempts a long red with so much cue power.
It leaves a red to the middle pocket for O’Sullivan, but the ‘Rocket’ uncharacteristically misses a simple pot.
Reckless thinking from Jiahui, but it could ultimately leave him with a chance to claw back the deficit.
11:51 AM BST
61-break gets Jiahui back to within four frames (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 5)
Si Jiahui has had chances in almost every frame to punish O’Sullivan, and he finally shows some conviction here.
A break of 61 is up before he misses a routine pink, but it doesn’t matter as O’Sullivan concedes the frame.
It’s 9-5, and both players look far from comfortable out there.
11:49 AM BST
Jiahui in pole position to win the frame despite cue ball problems (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 4)
Si Jiahui is building up to a break of 20 after O’Sullivan caught the black full-on from a safety shot.
The Chinese player is still having issues with his cue ball control, going on the wrong side of the blue.
It’s very hard work, but a few more pots and he will win the frame and get back to within four.
11:46 AM BST
O’Sullivan and Jiahui both making glaring errors (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 4)
O’Sullivan looks for a thin cut to the middle pocket but misses, allowing Jiahui to play an impressive pot on the red and he’s in again.
A long pot on the resulting red somehow sees the blue drop into the bottom-right pocket, but he is back in prime position again after a poor O’Sullivan safety.
On the stretch, Jiahui seems to lift his head and misses a red poorly.
Both players lacking concentration at the moment.
11:38 AM BST
Sensational pot on the pink gives O’Sullivan a five-frame lead (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 4)
A sensational piece of cueing on the pink to the top-right pocket sees O’Sullivan clutch the frame, rolling in the black off the spot to go 9-4 in front.
Once again mistakes are proving costly for Si Jiahui, who has a pensive look on his face as O’Sullivan goes backstage.
The ‘Rocket’ had no right to win that frame, but took his chance ruthlessly as the Chinese player falters once again.
11:35 AM BST
Wonderful pot and snooker from O’Sullivan gets him back in to contention (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
O’Sullivan produces one of the pots of the tournament when hampered by the yellow, before playing a brilliant snooker behind the green.
Si Jiahui gets out of the snooker at the third attempt, but has left a routine red to get O’Sullivan up and running once more.
The colours are in difficult positions, so O’Sullivan will have to work hard to seal this frame.
11:33 AM BST
Poor shot selection from Si Jiahui opens the frame up (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
Sublime cue ball control from Si Jiahui in this frame, screwing back for a red to the middle pocket, he needs this to leave O’Sullivan requiring snookers.
He’s missed it though, playing the red with far too much pace. Si Jiahui looks visibly frustrated as he slumps to his seat.
He’s given O’Sullivan a lifeline, with the pair now in a safety battle over the final two reds.
11:29 AM BST
Si Jiahui back in prime position (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
Si Jiahui has managed to get himself back in to position through a fabulous pot and is now looking to sail away in this frame.
It would be the first time Jiahui has won back-to-back frames in this match, which says a lot about his performance levels so far, but this is encouraging signs.
11:26 AM BST
Mistakes from both players in frame 13 (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
A break of 16 from O’Sullivan allows Si Jiahui to play a safety, but a double-kiss near the middle pocket leaves O’Sullivan with another opportunity.
O’Sullivan fails to pot a long red while Si Jiahui plays an attacking shot with the rest and rattles the jaws of the pocket.
From that, O’Sullivan cuts a red in but sees the cue ball drop into the top-left pocket, as Si Jiahui aims to build another break.
It’s not pleasing on the eye, but this topsy turvy frame remains enthralling.
11:22 AM BST
Si Jiahui’s poor safety hands O’Sullivan an opportunity (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
From his safety, O’Sullivan manages to knock the cue ball in and Si Jiahui pots a superb long red.
A poor safety shot follows from the Chinese player as he fails to roll the cue ball behind the green.
O’Sullivan proceeds to open the reds up, but Jiahui can’t take advantage and O’Sullivan is again, flicking the black into a good position after a routine red.
O’Sullivan could be in command again here.
11:08 AM BST
Si Jiahui must build on O’Sullivan blunder
Si Jiahui must have a totally different mindset heading off stage and preparing himself for the second half of the morning session.
In contrast, O’Sullivan must be wondering how he let that frame slip.
This dramatic moment has the potential to tilt the balance of this match completely, and if the Chinese player can make a positive start on his return to the table, then the momentum could be falling away from the ‘Rocket’.
It’s all to play for heading into the 13th frame, which will be underway shortly.
10:58 AM BST
Drama as Jiahui pounces on O’Sullivan error (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
Just as you think O’Sullivan is in cruise control to go 9-3 up, he misses a difficult cut on the yellow.
Jiahui pots the yellow and dispatches a difficult green, before potting a sensational brown after losing position.
A routine blue and pink follows and Jiahui gets the match back to 8-4.
Heading in to the mid-session interval, how crucial could this moment prove to be?
10:54 AM BST
Si Jiahui makes a weak end to his break (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 3)
It’s further disappointment for Si Jiahui, as a poor pot on the red forces a difficult cut on the black to the middle pocket.
He proceeds to falter again, and O’Sullivan has a fabulous chance to steal this frame heading into the mid-session interval.
Si Jiahui’s head must be all over the place, he can’t afford to keep making such costly mistakes.
10:49 AM BST
Si Jiahui has another opportunity (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 3)
O’Sullivan goes on the attack and looks to play a plant off Jiahui’s break-off but rattles the jaws.
The Chinese player proceeds to pot the loose red and superbly cuts a tricky black to get his break building.
An early chance to win his second frame of the morning.
10:45 AM BST
O’Sullivan extends his advantage (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 3)
It can be a cruel game at times and Si Jiahui felt it when O’Sullivan fortuitously potted a red when appearing to be in trouble, but the ‘Rocket’ produced some brilliant pots after that moment.
A miss on the blue sees him make a 75 break and O’Sullivan now pulls five frames clear of his opponent.
10:42 AM BST
O’Sullivan shows his frustration but produces sensational pot (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 3)
O’Sullivan is furious as he looks to cannon the red off the pink to get into position but leaves a tough cut. He hammers the table with his fist but then produces a fabulous pot to keep the break going.
It’s been tough in this frame but O’Sullivan is finding a way as he so normally does.
10:37 AM BST
A huge slice of luck for O’Sullivan (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 3)
An impressive exchange of safety play from both players gets the 11th frame underway, with O’Sullivan narrowly avoiding potting the cue ball in. Danger looms as more reds are brought in to play.
Seemingly in trouble, O’Sullivan flukes a red and his break is underway. He could extend his lead in a matter of minutes here.
10:31 AM BST
Jiahui on the board for the day (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 3)
A lovely shot along the cushion followed by a black locks up the frame for Jiahui. If anything, that sends a message to O’Sullivan that sloppy play will be punished. A lovely break of 101 from the Chinese.
10:28 AM BST
Yet another chance for Jiahui (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 2)
Jiahui plays a lovely shot on the blue in and out of baulk to keep his break alive and this really is a good chance now. In normal circumstances you would expect his to clear up from here but as we’ve seen he has been inconsistent with his potting so nothing can be taken for granted.
10:26 AM BST
And then a horrible miss (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 2)
Oh that is out of character. O’Sullivan is far too thin on what should have been a rudimentary red and a break of 34 is over. Jiahui has been handed another opportunity, one he really need to take you feel.
10:23 AM BST
Sensational pot (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 2)
What a pot that is from O’Sullivan. He nails a long red to start this tenth frame. That is a great sign that he is finding some comfortability with this new cue.
10:20 AM BST
Clinical stuff from Ronnie (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 2)
The story of yesterday seems to have bled into today already. Jiahui has missed two pots and O’Sullivan has taken advantage without having to get close to his best snooker. He takes the opening frame of the session.
10:18 AM BST
Jiahui gives Ronnie yet another chance (O’Sullivan 6 Jiahui 2)
Another poor miss from Jiahui. He’s just not making O’Sullivan work hard enough at the minute and you would be surprised to see the Englishman give up this frame from here, though the balls are placed far from easily.
10:15 AM BST
O’Sullivan misses tricky black (O’Sullivan 6 Jiahui 2)
Smooth cueing from O’Sullivan and surely a touch of early concern here for the Chinese player. O’Sullivan plays a lovely canon but then loses the cue ball and misses a tricky black after a break of 29. Jiahui has another chance in this opening frame.
10:13 AM BST
O’Sullivan breaks in the opening frame (O’Sullivan 6 Jiahui 2)
An long pot misses from Jiahui and O’Sullivan has an early chance, which he takes, knocking a red into the left middle. Two reds and two blacks follow…
10:08 AM BST
Here comes Ronnie
A rousing reception from the Crucible faithful as expected.
10:06 AM BST
Slightly over-eager on the scheduling…
…Rishi Persad and John Parrot are still chatting through the four quarter-finals before Rob Walker takes control to introduce the four players.
10:01 AM BST
For my money…
…the intro music for BBC snooker is right up there with the best around. Ski Sunday and Match of the Day are also excellent but this one takes it for me.
09:58 AM BST
Play is scheduled to start…
…at 10am this morning. We are moments away from action at the Crucible.
09:47 AM BST
As things stand…
O’Sullivan leads Jiahui 6-2, while Zhao Xintong is one frame away from the semi-finals after building a dominant 12-4 lead over Chris Wakelin. In the other quarters, Judd Trump leads Luca Brecel 5-3, while on the opposing table this morning John Higgins and Mark Williams resume at eight frames a piece.
09:39 AM BST
Important session for Jiahui
One must not forget that Si Jiahui blew a nine-frame lead in the semi-finals at this tournament two years ago. With that in mind, you do feel him getting on the board early here is vital from a confidence perspective. A poor missed black in the seventh frame when 52 points laid bare his nerves and he needs to settle down if he is to seriously challenge a player of O’Sullivan’s experience at the Crucible.
09:33 AM BST
WATCH: Ronnie century in eight frame
A sensational century from Ronnie O’Sullivan, as he leads 6-2 against Si Jiahui 🔥#WorldChampionshippic.twitter.com/xIWSZtpZ2e
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) April 29, 2025
09:15 AM BST
Welcome back
Ronnie O’Sullivan resumes his world championship quarter-final this morning against Si Jiahui with a commanding 6-2 lead.
The seven-time champion is just seven frames away from booking a place in yet another semi-final at the Crucible, after an opening session that laid bare all the nous that has made him such a force at this tournament for so long.
The first eight frames were far from the Englishman’s very best, though a break of 122 in the final frame of the session did show glimpses of his brilliant best. In truth though, O’Sullivan was able to capitalise on some sloppy play from his Chinese opponent who missed numerous chances early on to lay down a marker.
In the seventh frame, Jiahui was 52 points clear before missing a simple black, allowing O’Sullivan back to the table and to win the frame with a break of 67.
Playing with a new cue, O’Sullivan will want to improve his break-off play especially, while some of his positional shots left plenty to be desired.
Speaking after the session BBC, Steve Davis said: “Ronnie is getting the breathing space to trust his new cue. Nobody is really putting him under pressure. It has been a bit of a workmanlike performance from Ronnie overall. When he walked off he didn’t really look particularly overjoyed, it was like ‘I’ve done my job here and get ready for the next session’.”
It is as we were heading into the evening session, with a four-frame difference separating Ronnie O’Sullivan and Si Jiahui, but neither player will take many positives from their displays so far.
It was more of the same as far as the Chinese player was concerned, failing to capitalise on mistakes as his cue ball control so often let him down when getting in to promising positions.
From O’Sullivan’s perspective, he started in ruthless fashion, digging in to build up an 8-3 lead, but untimely errors allowed Jiahui to pounce and stay within touching distance.
Many times Jiahui had golden opportunities to close the gap even further, but a number of puzzling and pacey efforts allowed the O’Sullivan to keep the world number 13 at arms length, leading 9-6 heading into the final frame of the session.
A terrific opening presented itself for Jiahui to get back to within two frames as O’Sullivan’s concentration deserted him, but a missed cut on the brown saw O’Sullivan rise from his slumber and stroke in a break of 64 to lead 10-6 heading into the evening session, which begins at 7:00pm this evening.
It is an uphill battle for Jiahui to make it to a second World Championship semi-final in three years, but consistency will be the answer if O’Sullivan continues to take his foot off the accelerator.
12:27 PM BST
O’Sullivan makes Si Jiahui pay and reclaims four-frame advantage (O’Sullivan 10 Jiahui 6)
The experience between both players is so telling, with O’Sullivan lifting himself out of his slump to secure a break of 64.
It’s as we were heading into the evening session with a four-frame difference, and Si Jiahui will be bitterly disappointed to not have closed the gap on O’Sullivan, who wasn’t at the races at all.
O’Sullivan will be hoping to lift himself as he requires three frames to progress, while Si Jiahui simply has to improve his control of the cue ball to give the ‘Rocket’ any problems.
The evening session will get underway at 7:00pm.
12:18 PM BST
Si Jiahui surrenders leading position once more (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 6)
Si Jiahui plays a ruthless pot in to the middle pocket before rifling a blue in to get his break underway.
He’s guilty of playing another red with too much pace but an excellent cut on the brown gets him back in to position.
Just 24 points into his break and Jiahui misses another brown though, and O’Sullivan pots a red into the left middle pocket.
Too many chances are going astray, and despite how poor O’Sullivan has been, he could get in to double figures for frames.
12:12 PM BST
More concerning shots from O’Sullivan (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 6)
This has the feeling of a massive frame in the context of the match, and Si Jiahui is up and running after another poor shot from O’Sullivan.
He can’t force in a tough black though and O’Sullivan rattles in a medium distanced red. But he loses his patience and plays a reckless double across the table to leave Jiahui with another chance.
The Chinese player plays safe but O’Sullivan doesn’t look in the right head space.
12:05 PM BST
Si Jiahui closes out frame 15 (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 6)
The reds are spaced out nicely and Si Jiahui has a fabulous opportunity to close the distance on an out-of-sorts O’Sullivan.
His cue ball control is far from perfect and he then makes a grave error again by going in off when potting the green.
O’Sullivan fluffs up another safety shot though and Jiahui is back in, executing three difficult reds to get him over the line in this frame.
It’s far from vintage play but a break of 45 ensures Jiahui gets back to 9-6, setting up a crucial final frame of this session.
11:57 AM BST
Questionable tactics from Jiahui but O’Sullivan blunders (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 5)
An all-out attack approach has been adopted by Si Jiahui, as he bizarrely attempts a long red with so much cue power.
It leaves a red to the middle pocket for O’Sullivan, but the ‘Rocket’ uncharacteristically misses a simple pot.
Reckless thinking from Jiahui, but it could ultimately leave him with a chance to claw back the deficit.
11:51 AM BST
61-break gets Jiahui back to within four frames (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 5)
Si Jiahui has had chances in almost every frame to punish O’Sullivan, and he finally shows some conviction here.
A break of 61 is up before he misses a routine pink, but it doesn’t matter as O’Sullivan concedes the frame.
It’s 9-5, and both players look far from comfortable out there.
11:49 AM BST
Jiahui in pole position to win the frame despite cue ball problems (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 4)
Si Jiahui is building up to a break of 20 after O’Sullivan caught the black full-on from a safety shot.
The Chinese player is still having issues with his cue ball control, going on the wrong side of the blue.
It’s very hard work, but a few more pots and he will win the frame and get back to within four.
11:46 AM BST
O’Sullivan and Jiahui both making glaring errors (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 4)
O’Sullivan looks for a thin cut to the middle pocket but misses, allowing Jiahui to play an impressive pot on the red and he’s in again.
A long pot on the resulting red somehow sees the blue drop into the bottom-right pocket, but he is back in prime position again after a poor O’Sullivan safety.
On the stretch, Jiahui seems to lift his head and misses a red poorly.
Both players lacking concentration at the moment.
11:38 AM BST
Sensational pot on the pink gives O’Sullivan a five-frame lead (O’Sullivan 9 Jiahui 4)
A sensational piece of cueing on the pink to the top-right pocket sees O’Sullivan clutch the frame, rolling in the black off the spot to go 9-4 in front.
Once again mistakes are proving costly for Si Jiahui, who has a pensive look on his face as O’Sullivan goes backstage.
The ‘Rocket’ had no right to win that frame, but took his chance ruthlessly as the Chinese player falters once again.
11:35 AM BST
Wonderful pot and snooker from O’Sullivan gets him back in to contention (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
O’Sullivan produces one of the pots of the tournament when hampered by the yellow, before playing a brilliant snooker behind the green.
Si Jiahui gets out of the snooker at the third attempt, but has left a routine red to get O’Sullivan up and running once more.
The colours are in difficult positions, so O’Sullivan will have to work hard to seal this frame.
11:33 AM BST
Poor shot selection from Si Jiahui opens the frame up (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
Sublime cue ball control from Si Jiahui in this frame, screwing back for a red to the middle pocket, he needs this to leave O’Sullivan requiring snookers.
He’s missed it though, playing the red with far too much pace. Si Jiahui looks visibly frustrated as he slumps to his seat.
He’s given O’Sullivan a lifeline, with the pair now in a safety battle over the final two reds.
11:29 AM BST
Si Jiahui back in prime position (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
Si Jiahui has managed to get himself back in to position through a fabulous pot and is now looking to sail away in this frame.
It would be the first time Jiahui has won back-to-back frames in this match, which says a lot about his performance levels so far, but this is encouraging signs.
11:26 AM BST
Mistakes from both players in frame 13 (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
A break of 16 from O’Sullivan allows Si Jiahui to play a safety, but a double-kiss near the middle pocket leaves O’Sullivan with another opportunity.
O’Sullivan fails to pot a long red while Si Jiahui plays an attacking shot with the rest and rattles the jaws of the pocket.
From that, O’Sullivan cuts a red in but sees the cue ball drop into the top-left pocket, as Si Jiahui aims to build another break.
It’s not pleasing on the eye, but this topsy turvy frame remains enthralling.
11:22 AM BST
Si Jiahui’s poor safety hands O’Sullivan an opportunity (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
From his safety, O’Sullivan manages to knock the cue ball in and Si Jiahui pots a superb long red.
A poor safety shot follows from the Chinese player as he fails to roll the cue ball behind the green.
O’Sullivan proceeds to open the reds up, but Jiahui can’t take advantage and O’Sullivan is again, flicking the black into a good position after a routine red.
O’Sullivan could be in command again here.
11:08 AM BST
Si Jiahui must build on O’Sullivan blunder
Si Jiahui must have a totally different mindset heading off stage and preparing himself for the second half of the morning session.
In contrast, O’Sullivan must be wondering how he let that frame slip.
This dramatic moment has the potential to tilt the balance of this match completely, and if the Chinese player can make a positive start on his return to the table, then the momentum could be falling away from the ‘Rocket’.
It’s all to play for heading into the 13th frame, which will be underway shortly.
10:58 AM BST
Drama as Jiahui pounces on O’Sullivan error (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 4)
Just as you think O’Sullivan is in cruise control to go 9-3 up, he misses a difficult cut on the yellow.
Jiahui pots the yellow and dispatches a difficult green, before potting a sensational brown after losing position.
A routine blue and pink follows and Jiahui gets the match back to 8-4.
Heading in to the mid-session interval, how crucial could this moment prove to be?
10:54 AM BST
Si Jiahui makes a weak end to his break (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 3)
It’s further disappointment for Si Jiahui, as a poor pot on the red forces a difficult cut on the black to the middle pocket.
He proceeds to falter again, and O’Sullivan has a fabulous chance to steal this frame heading into the mid-session interval.
Si Jiahui’s head must be all over the place, he can’t afford to keep making such costly mistakes.
10:49 AM BST
Si Jiahui has another opportunity (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 3)
O’Sullivan goes on the attack and looks to play a plant off Jiahui’s break-off but rattles the jaws.
The Chinese player proceeds to pot the loose red and superbly cuts a tricky black to get his break building.
An early chance to win his second frame of the morning.
10:45 AM BST
O’Sullivan extends his advantage (O’Sullivan 8 Jiahui 3)
It can be a cruel game at times and Si Jiahui felt it when O’Sullivan fortuitously potted a red when appearing to be in trouble, but the ‘Rocket’ produced some brilliant pots after that moment.
A miss on the blue sees him make a 75 break and O’Sullivan now pulls five frames clear of his opponent.
10:42 AM BST
O’Sullivan shows his frustration but produces sensational pot (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 3)
O’Sullivan is furious as he looks to cannon the red off the pink to get into position but leaves a tough cut. He hammers the table with his fist but then produces a fabulous pot to keep the break going.
It’s been tough in this frame but O’Sullivan is finding a way as he so normally does.
10:37 AM BST
A huge slice of luck for O’Sullivan (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 3)
An impressive exchange of safety play from both players gets the 11th frame underway, with O’Sullivan narrowly avoiding potting the cue ball in. Danger looms as more reds are brought in to play.
Seemingly in trouble, O’Sullivan flukes a red and his break is underway. He could extend his lead in a matter of minutes here.
10:31 AM BST
Jiahui on the board for the day (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 3)
A lovely shot along the cushion followed by a black locks up the frame for Jiahui. If anything, that sends a message to O’Sullivan that sloppy play will be punished. A lovely break of 101 from the Chinese.
10:28 AM BST
Yet another chance for Jiahui (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 2)
Jiahui plays a lovely shot on the blue in and out of baulk to keep his break alive and this really is a good chance now. In normal circumstances you would expect his to clear up from here but as we’ve seen he has been inconsistent with his potting so nothing can be taken for granted.
10:26 AM BST
And then a horrible miss (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 2)
Oh that is out of character. O’Sullivan is far too thin on what should have been a rudimentary red and a break of 34 is over. Jiahui has been handed another opportunity, one he really need to take you feel.
10:23 AM BST
Sensational pot (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 2)
What a pot that is from O’Sullivan. He nails a long red to start this tenth frame. That is a great sign that he is finding some comfortability with this new cue.
10:20 AM BST
Clinical stuff from Ronnie (O’Sullivan 7 Jiahui 2)
The story of yesterday seems to have bled into today already. Jiahui has missed two pots and O’Sullivan has taken advantage without having to get close to his best snooker. He takes the opening frame of the session.
10:18 AM BST
Jiahui gives Ronnie yet another chance (O’Sullivan 6 Jiahui 2)
Another poor miss from Jiahui. He’s just not making O’Sullivan work hard enough at the minute and you would be surprised to see the Englishman give up this frame from here, though the balls are placed far from easily.
10:15 AM BST
O’Sullivan misses tricky black (O’Sullivan 6 Jiahui 2)
Smooth cueing from O’Sullivan and surely a touch of early concern here for the Chinese player. O’Sullivan plays a lovely canon but then loses the cue ball and misses a tricky black after a break of 29. Jiahui has another chance in this opening frame.
10:13 AM BST
O’Sullivan breaks in the opening frame (O’Sullivan 6 Jiahui 2)
An long pot misses from Jiahui and O’Sullivan has an early chance, which he takes, knocking a red into the left middle. Two reds and two blacks follow…
10:08 AM BST
Here comes Ronnie
A rousing reception from the Crucible faithful as expected.
10:06 AM BST
Slightly over-eager on the scheduling…
…Rishi Persad and John Parrot are still chatting through the four quarter-finals before Rob Walker takes control to introduce the four players.
10:01 AM BST
For my money…
…the intro music for BBC snooker is right up there with the best around. Ski Sunday and Match of the Day are also excellent but this one takes it for me.
09:58 AM BST
Play is scheduled to start…
…at 10am this morning. We are moments away from action at the Crucible.
09:47 AM BST
As things stand…
O’Sullivan leads Jiahui 6-2, while Zhao Xintong is one frame away from the semi-finals after building a dominant 12-4 lead over Chris Wakelin. In the other quarters, Judd Trump leads Luca Brecel 5-3, while on the opposing table this morning John Higgins and Mark Williams resume at eight frames a piece.
09:39 AM BST
Important session for Jiahui
One must not forget that Si Jiahui blew a nine-frame lead in the semi-finals at this tournament two years ago. With that in mind, you do feel him getting on the board early here is vital from a confidence perspective. A poor missed black in the seventh frame when 52 points laid bare his nerves and he needs to settle down if he is to seriously challenge a player of O’Sullivan’s experience at the Crucible.
09:33 AM BST
WATCH: Ronnie century in eight frame
A sensational century from Ronnie O’Sullivan, as he leads 6-2 against Si Jiahui 🔥#WorldChampionshippic.twitter.com/xIWSZtpZ2e
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) April 29, 2025
09:15 AM BST
Welcome back
Ronnie O’Sullivan resumes his world championship quarter-final this morning against Si Jiahui with a commanding 6-2 lead.
The seven-time champion is just seven frames away from booking a place in yet another semi-final at the Crucible, after an opening session that laid bare all the nous that has made him such a force at this tournament for so long.
The first eight frames were far from the Englishman’s very best, though a break of 122 in the final frame of the session did show glimpses of his brilliant best. In truth though, O’Sullivan was able to capitalise on some sloppy play from his Chinese opponent who missed numerous chances early on to lay down a marker.
In the seventh frame, Jiahui was 52 points clear before missing a simple black, allowing O’Sullivan back to the table and to win the frame with a break of 67.
Playing with a new cue, O’Sullivan will want to improve his break-off play especially, while some of his positional shots left plenty to be desired.
Speaking after the session BBC, Steve Davis said: “Ronnie is getting the breathing space to trust his new cue. Nobody is really putting him under pressure. It has been a bit of a workmanlike performance from Ronnie overall. When he walked off he didn’t really look particularly overjoyed, it was like ‘I’ve done my job here and get ready for the next session’.”
