Ronnie O’Sullivan v Si Jiahui LIVE: World Snooker Championship result and scores as Trump blasts past Brecel
Ronnie O’Sullivan continued his quest for a history-making eighth world title with a 13-9 victory
Ronnie O’Sullivan progressed into the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship with a 13-9 victory over Si Jiahui as ‘The Rocket’ continues his bid for a history-making eighth world title.
O’Sullivan wasted little time in securing a routine 13-4 win over Pang Junxu in the second round at the Crucible Theatre and led talented youngster Si, who shockingly made the semi-finals here in 2023 at the age of just 20, 10-6 after Wednesday morning’s session. An early fightback in the evening from the Chinese player threatened to rattle The Rocket, but the seven-time world champion settled again to seal out victory and set up a meeting with Zhao Xintong.
Across the Crucible, Judd Trump surged into the semis as he won all five frames in the evening session to knock out Luca Brecel, in the process making a record 104th century of the season. Earlier, O’Sullivan’s fellow ‘Class of 92’ veterans John Higgins and Mark Williams produced a vintage encounter settled on the final black of the match. The pair were locked at 8-8 following an intriguing first two sessions and Williams moved 12-8 ahead before Higgins roared back to force a decider, with a costly missed blue from the Scot allowing Williams to prevail 13-12.
Follow all the scores, results and latest updates from the World Snooker Championship below:
Ronnie O'Sullivan speaks to the BBC after sealing victory
“I’m just grinding it out. I had my work done on my cue today. I’m playing awful and the cue feels awful, so it’s the worst situation, but I’m still in, so I’ll keep trying. He had lots of chances. I was trying all sorts, trying to hold the cue in different places just to get a different feel.
“Si played poorly in the whole match, really. I got lucky again. I’m looking forward to the semi-final, each match is an opportunity. I love seeing the Chinese players play well - they are such nice boys and it’s not easy. I still think there is loads that Zhao can improve on.”
Ronnie O'Sullivan books spot in semi-finals!
It’ll be Zhao Xintong next up for Ronnie O’Sullivan - it’ll be a tougher test but there was some real steel in those final frames from the seven-time world champion.
Ronnie O'Sullivan books spot in semi-finals!
Far from perfect from Ronnie O’Sullivan but he’s into the final four! Si Jiahui gave him chances to seal it in those last two frames and The Rocket powers on.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 12-9 Si Jiahui
Si flops down on the table - a wretched shot, reaching up for the brown and failing to find the pocket. Yuck. He’s had his chances.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 12-9 Si Jiahui
A careless safety from Ronnie O’Sullivan leaves Si Jiahui with a simple starter to the middle. He needs to make this count.
Judd Trump beats Luca Brecel 13-8
Already having extended his stay in Sheffield is Judd Trump - here’s how he sealed it out against Luca Brecel after a dominant final five frames. The Belgian really seemed to be taking control of the match at times this afternoon but Trump just looks stronger and stronger a contender.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 12-9 Si Jiahui
No mistake this time! A delightful red to get going again for Ronnie O’Sullivan, and he knocks in the last of them with aplomb, too. A clearance is required...and achieved. He’s a frame away from the last four.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 11-9 Si Jiahui
Si comes close to another fluke, though the red doesn’t quite bury itself in the yellow pocket. A chance, then, for Ronnie O’Sullivan, two reds below the brown (occupying the black spot) the likeliest to cause him bother.
He leaves them until last, sensibly. And misses the first of them! Gah. He gets away with it but still trails by 25.
Judd Trump surges into semi-final!
Five frames, five won, and into the semi-finals - sparkling stuff from Judd Trump, starting with a couple of centuries and never looking back tonight. Luca Brecel is dispatched 13-8 in rapid time.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 11-9 Si Jiahui
A missed pot arrives relatively quickly, though. Back into a battle of safety play - until Si Jiahui gets lucky with an inadvertent two-ball plant fluke.
To 49 he rapidly moves before a slap of the table betrays his frustration at having run out of position. Can he fire in a tough red along the bottom cushion? No, but he’s played it cleverly to get back up to balk. Encouraging signs that Si Jiahui may be starting to believe he can win this.
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