It’s finally here.
Fans around the world will be getting ready to tune in for 17 days of snooker heaven as the World Championship arrives once again at the Crucible Theatre.
To whet the appetite, here are our thoughts on the 16 matches that make up the opening round.
Kyren Wilson v Lei Peifan
Wilson returns to the Crucible as reigning champion, and many feel he has a great chance of being the first first-time winner to successfully defend his title.
Kyren’s season has been impressive with 4 tournament wins, most recently at the Players Championship where he defeated Judd Trump in an epic final.
Peifan captured the Scottish Open this season for his maiden tour title, and he makes his debut at the Crucible after a nerve-jangling 10-9 victory on Judgement Day, but it’s a big ask for him to topple Wilson in this encounter.
Verdict: Wilson will just have too much for Peifan. Wilson 10-4
Wilson returns to the Crucible as reigning champion, and many feel he has a great chance of being the first first-time winner to successfully defend his title.
Kyren’s season has been impressive with 4 tournament wins, most recently at the Players Championship where he defeated Judd Trump in an epic final.
Peifan captured the Scottish Open this season for his maiden tour title, and he makes his debut at the Crucible after a nerve-jangling 10-9 victory on Judgement Day, but it’s a big ask for him to topple Wilson in this encounter.
Verdict: Wilson will just have too much for Peifan. Wilson 10-4
Xiao Guodong v Matthew Selt
Xiao has been playing a lot of good snooker this season and won his first ranking title at the Wuhan Open.
He also had a great run to the final of the Champion of Champions and arrives in Sheffield in good form. World number 34 Selt came through another 10-9 Judgement Day epic to book his place at the Crucible. Playing Jimmy Robertson, Selt faced defeat trailing 8-3 but staged a remarkable recovery, reeling off 7 of the remaining 8 frames.
Verdict: We can’t see past Goudong for this one. Goudong 10-6
Xiao has been playing a lot of good snooker this season and won his first ranking title at the Wuhan Open.
He also had a great run to the final of the Champion of Champions and arrives in Sheffield in good form. World number 34 Selt came through another 10-9 Judgement Day epic to book his place at the Crucible. Playing Jimmy Robertson, Selt faced defeat trailing 8-3 but staged a remarkable recovery, reeling off 7 of the remaining 8 frames.
Verdict: We can’t see past Goudong for this one. Goudong 10-6
Neil Robertson v Chris Wakelin
After a lacklustre run by his lofty standards, Robertson is now bang in form and playing some of his best snooker. His whitewash victory at the World Grand Prix this year was quite remarkable and he will fancy his chances of landing a second world title.
Wakelin also comes into the tournament in form having reached the semi of the English Open and the International Open Final, claiming notable scalps along the way. Two comfortable qualifying victories will add to his confidence, so this one could go close.
Verdict: Robertson is looking too good for Wakelin, but it’ll be close. Robertson 10-8
After a lacklustre run by his lofty standards, Robertson is now bang in form and playing some of his best snooker. His whitewash victory at the World Grand Prix this year was quite remarkable and he will fancy his chances of landing a second world title.
Wakelin also comes into the tournament in form having reached the semi of the English Open and the International Open Final, claiming notable scalps along the way. Two comfortable qualifying victories will add to his confidence, so this one could go close.
Verdict: Robertson is looking too good for Wakelin, but it’ll be close. Robertson 10-8
Mark Williams v Wu Yize
Williams’ on-going eyesight issues led him to claim that qualifiers will be “praying” to draw him at Sheffield and it was Wu Yize that had those prayers answered.
Quite how bad his eyes are can’t be known, but Williams certainly seems downbeat, resorting to contact lenses at the Tour Championship. That said, Williams oozes class and can never be dismissed.
Wu has been grabbing the attention recently, particularly with his superb runs to the finals of both the English and Scottish Opens. His narrow 10-9 victory to book his place at the Crucible included four centuries and he certainly is an exciting young talent.
Verdict: Williams’ troubles mean this is one for the qualifier. Yize 10-8
Williams’ on-going eyesight issues led him to claim that qualifiers will be “praying” to draw him at Sheffield and it was Wu Yize that had those prayers answered.
Quite how bad his eyes are can’t be known, but Williams certainly seems downbeat, resorting to contact lenses at the Tour Championship. That said, Williams oozes class and can never be dismissed.
Wu has been grabbing the attention recently, particularly with his superb runs to the finals of both the English and Scottish Opens. His narrow 10-9 victory to book his place at the Crucible included four centuries and he certainly is an exciting young talent.
Verdict: Williams’ troubles mean this is one for the qualifier. Yize 10-8
Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei
Hawkins always seems to rise to the occasion in Sheffield, and the form he showed at the Tour Championship means we see another good run for “The Hawk” this year.
Vafaei can be unpredictable and whilst his flair and animated personality is always a good watch, it’s hard to make a case for him in this one.
Verdict: Hawkins to ease his way to the second round. Hawkins 10-3
Hawkins always seems to rise to the occasion in Sheffield, and the form he showed at the Tour Championship means we see another good run for “The Hawk” this year.
Vafaei can be unpredictable and whilst his flair and animated personality is always a good watch, it’s hard to make a case for him in this one.
Verdict: Hawkins to ease his way to the second round. Hawkins 10-3
Jak Jones v Zhao Xintong
Jones returns to the scene of his greatest achievement to date, and the memories of his incredible run to the final last year will be fresh. He clearly loves the Crucible, having reached the quarters a year earlier, so anything is possible for the Welshman.
For Xintong, his redemption continues following his ban in 2023, and the former UK Championship and German Masters champion booked his place in Sheffield by surging through four qualifying matches, racking up 12 centuries along the way.
Verdict: Jones will put up a fight but Xintong should power through. Xintong 10-6
Jones returns to the scene of his greatest achievement to date, and the memories of his incredible run to the final last year will be fresh. He clearly loves the Crucible, having reached the quarters a year earlier, so anything is possible for the Welshman.
For Xintong, his redemption continues following his ban in 2023, and the former UK Championship and German Masters champion booked his place in Sheffield by surging through four qualifying matches, racking up 12 centuries along the way.
Verdict: Jones will put up a fight but Xintong should power through. Xintong 10-6
Mark Allen v Fan Zhengyi
Allen claimed the Riyadh Season Championship in December, but he’s struggled to hit the heights that saw him finish the 23-24 season as world number one. The world title would complete the triple crown for the Pistol, and there’s no question about his ability and bottle.
World number 46 Zhengyi had two comfortable victories at the qualifiers and is a prolific scorer, so will prove a dangerous opponent for Allen.
Verdict: Experience should see Allen through this one. Allen 10-5
Allen claimed the Riyadh Season Championship in December, but he’s struggled to hit the heights that saw him finish the 23-24 season as world number one. The world title would complete the triple crown for the Pistol, and there’s no question about his ability and bottle.
World number 46 Zhengyi had two comfortable victories at the qualifiers and is a prolific scorer, so will prove a dangerous opponent for Allen.
Verdict: Experience should see Allen through this one. Allen 10-5
John Higgins v Joe O’Connor
This one looks to be a fascinating encounter.
Higgins chalked up his 33rd ranking title at the Tour Championship, a result he described as his “best ever win”. This remarkable competitor can undoubtedly go all the way, but does he have the stamina to survive the gruelling test of the Crucible?
O’Connor is a wonderful cueist and defeated “double maxi-man” Jackson Page on Judgement Day. He also has Crucible pedigree after defeating Mark Selby last year.
These two met in the final of the World Open this year, a match that Higgins won 10-6. Can O’Connor cause a major upset?
Verdict: We think this is a close one, but Higgins edges it. Higgins 10-9
This one looks to be a fascinating encounter.
Higgins chalked up his 33rd ranking title at the Tour Championship, a result he described as his “best ever win”. This remarkable competitor can undoubtedly go all the way, but does he have the stamina to survive the gruelling test of the Crucible?
O’Connor is a wonderful cueist and defeated “double maxi-man” Jackson Page on Judgement Day. He also has Crucible pedigree after defeating Mark Selby last year.
These two met in the final of the World Open this year, a match that Higgins won 10-6. Can O’Connor cause a major upset?
Verdict: We think this is a close one, but Higgins edges it. Higgins 10-9
Ding Junhui v Zak Surety
Enter “The Dragon” once again as Ding embarks on another quest to lift the world title. He came close in 2016, losing out in the final 18-14 and it seems a crime that this player with such talent hasn’t landed the big one yet.
Ding’s season has been decent, but we feel that his game isn’t quite where it needs to be to go all the way this year.
Surety makes his crucible debut this year after defeating both Ricky Walden and Jack Lisowski in the qualifiers. His quick-fire style could well be suited to the long format matches at the Crucible, and he is playing the best snooker of his career right now.
Verdict: We see an upset coming. Surety 10-7
Enter “The Dragon” once again as Ding embarks on another quest to lift the world title. He came close in 2016, losing out in the final 18-14 and it seems a crime that this player with such talent hasn’t landed the big one yet.
Ding’s season has been decent, but we feel that his game isn’t quite where it needs to be to go all the way this year.
Surety makes his crucible debut this year after defeating both Ricky Walden and Jack Lisowski in the qualifiers. His quick-fire style could well be suited to the long format matches at the Crucible, and he is playing the best snooker of his career right now.
Verdict: We see an upset coming. Surety 10-7
Si Jiahui v Dave Gilbert
Who can forget the incredible run that Si had to the semi-final just two years ago? This exciting, attacking player is a joy to watch and he clearly loves the Crucible. Whether he has the all-round game to be a serious threat is debatable, but we can expect fireworks when he’s at the table.
Gilbert has been a semi-finalist twice before, but he hasn’t had his best season and had to win the last three frames on Judgement Day to secure his Crucible place.
Verdict: Jiahui’s attacking game will be too much for Gilbert. Jiahui 10-4
Who can forget the incredible run that Si had to the semi-final just two years ago? This exciting, attacking player is a joy to watch and he clearly loves the Crucible. Whether he has the all-round game to be a serious threat is debatable, but we can expect fireworks when he’s at the table.
Gilbert has been a semi-finalist twice before, but he hasn’t had his best season and had to win the last three frames on Judgement Day to secure his Crucible place.
Verdict: Jiahui’s attacking game will be too much for Gilbert. Jiahui 10-4
Zhang Anda v Pang Junxu
This encounter between fellow Chinese players seems a tough one to call.
Zhang hasn’t had quite the form that saw him win his first ranking event in 2023 at the International Championship, but he remains a dangerous opponent who scores heavily.
Pang only turned professional in 2020, and it’s impressive that this is his third time at the Crucible in his short career. Indeed, he was “Rookie of the Year” after one of the best debut seasons ever seen, and he arrives at the Crucible on the back of two commanding qualifying victories.
Verdict: Pang to edge this nail-biter. Junxu 10-9
This encounter between fellow Chinese players seems a tough one to call.
Zhang hasn’t had quite the form that saw him win his first ranking event in 2023 at the International Championship, but he remains a dangerous opponent who scores heavily.
Pang only turned professional in 2020, and it’s impressive that this is his third time at the Crucible in his short career. Indeed, he was “Rookie of the Year” after one of the best debut seasons ever seen, and he arrives at the Crucible on the back of two commanding qualifying victories.
Verdict: Pang to edge this nail-biter. Junxu 10-9
Shaun Murphy v Daniel Wells
Murphy can be a puzzling player to assess. At his best he is unplayable, as he was in January this year when he became the Master for a second time. But just as you think he’s about to dominate, he can go missing. His current ranking of 15 is evidence of that and backs up the feeling that he lacks consistency.
Wells, the third debutant at the world championship this year was full of emotion as he clinched his Crucible berth by defeating Gary Wilson 10-9, and rightly so.
Murphy will go into this one as a red-hot favourite, and despite some erratic results, we can’t find a reason to disagree.
Verdict: Comfortable for the Magician. Murphy 10-3
Murphy can be a puzzling player to assess. At his best he is unplayable, as he was in January this year when he became the Master for a second time. But just as you think he’s about to dominate, he can go missing. His current ranking of 15 is evidence of that and backs up the feeling that he lacks consistency.
Wells, the third debutant at the world championship this year was full of emotion as he clinched his Crucible berth by defeating Gary Wilson 10-9, and rightly so.
Murphy will go into this one as a red-hot favourite, and despite some erratic results, we can’t find a reason to disagree.
Verdict: Comfortable for the Magician. Murphy 10-3
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ali Carter
Undoubtedly the tie of the round, this drew sharp intakes of breath as these two names came out of the hat.
Who can forget the “Crucible Barge” or the war of words at the Masters? This one will have spice.
But how do we really assess this match? O’Sullivan hasn’t played competitively this year and has had to find a new cue after his ended up in pieces in a bin. Of course, the Rocket is the one player who can just turn up and win, as he did in 2013 after taking the year off, but at 49 isn’t that asking a little too much?
Carter is a ferocious competitor and will certainly be up for this one. He hasn’t had the best of seasons, but form doesn’t seem to want to come into it when trying to predict what will happen in this match.
Verdict: Let’s hope this lives up to its billing. O’Sullivan 10-7
Undoubtedly the tie of the round, this drew sharp intakes of breath as these two names came out of the hat.
Who can forget the “Crucible Barge” or the war of words at the Masters? This one will have spice.
But how do we really assess this match? O’Sullivan hasn’t played competitively this year and has had to find a new cue after his ended up in pieces in a bin. Of course, the Rocket is the one player who can just turn up and win, as he did in 2013 after taking the year off, but at 49 isn’t that asking a little too much?
Carter is a ferocious competitor and will certainly be up for this one. He hasn’t had the best of seasons, but form doesn’t seem to want to come into it when trying to predict what will happen in this match.
Verdict: Let’s hope this lives up to its billing. O’Sullivan 10-7
Judd Trump v Zhou Yuelong
The “Ace in the Pack” arrives at the Crucible as world number 1 and favourite to lift the title, and few would dare to argue.
After a stellar year in 2024 when he won four titles and surpassed 1000 career centuries, his season could yet end on another high in Sheffield. Expect Trump to go deep in this tournament.
Yuelong returns to the Crucible for the first time in six years and will go into this match as a heavy outsider.
Verdict: This should be a banker. Trump 10-4
The “Ace in the Pack” arrives at the Crucible as world number 1 and favourite to lift the title, and few would dare to argue.
After a stellar year in 2024 when he won four titles and surpassed 1000 career centuries, his season could yet end on another high in Sheffield. Expect Trump to go deep in this tournament.
Yuelong returns to the Crucible for the first time in six years and will go into this match as a heavy outsider.
Verdict: This should be a banker. Trump 10-4
Luca Brecel v Ryan Day
After storming to World Championship glory in 2023, things haven’t quite gone to plan for Brecel.
Maybe the weight of being world champion was too heavy a burden to carry for the Belgian Bullet, but two years on he returns to the scene of his greatest triumph without the pressure of being the reigning champ.
Standing in his way is Ryan Day, the world number 36 who arrives at the Crucible for the 14th time. Neither player has shown a great deal of form this season, but if Brecel performs as we know he can, this match should be his.
Verdict: Brecel to show glimpses of his 2023 heroics. Brecel 10-5
After storming to World Championship glory in 2023, things haven’t quite gone to plan for Brecel.
Maybe the weight of being world champion was too heavy a burden to carry for the Belgian Bullet, but two years on he returns to the scene of his greatest triumph without the pressure of being the reigning champ.
Standing in his way is Ryan Day, the world number 36 who arrives at the Crucible for the 14th time. Neither player has shown a great deal of form this season, but if Brecel performs as we know he can, this match should be his.
Verdict: Brecel to show glimpses of his 2023 heroics. Brecel 10-5
Mark Selby v Ben Woollaston
This is a draw that by his own admission, Selby did not want. Last season the Jester was sent packing in round one by his good friend Joe O’Connor, and yet again he is paired with friend and practice partner, Ben Woollaston.
But there is a fundamental difference this year. Selby is back to his best. Despite losing out to John Higgins at the Tour Championship, Selby produced a phenomenal level of snooker that tells us the four-time champion’s game is up there with the best.
Woollaston will also have not wanted this draw, as Selby is a formidable opponent. This will be his second appearance at the Crucible, and first since 2013 when he exited at the last 32 stage.
Verdict: It’s impossible to see anything other than a convincing victory for the Jester. Selby 10-3
This is a draw that by his own admission, Selby did not want. Last season the Jester was sent packing in round one by his good friend Joe O’Connor, and yet again he is paired with friend and practice partner, Ben Woollaston.
But there is a fundamental difference this year. Selby is back to his best. Despite losing out to John Higgins at the Tour Championship, Selby produced a phenomenal level of snooker that tells us the four-time champion’s game is up there with the best.
Woollaston will also have not wanted this draw, as Selby is a formidable opponent. This will be his second appearance at the Crucible, and first since 2013 when he exited at the last 32 stage.
Verdict: It’s impossible to see anything other than a convincing victory for the Jester. Selby 10-3
TOURNAMENT PREDICTION:
It seems to us that after some troubling times, Mark Selby is back to his brilliant best. On his day he is one of the hardest players to beat and he tends to thrive at the World Championship. On the other side of the draw, we see Judd Trump endorsing his status as world number one, but Selby will lift his fifth world crown.
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