Shock Start at the Crucible
The 2025 World Snooker Championship, held at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre from April 19 to May 5, began with a stunning upset as defending champion Kyren Wilson fell 10-9 to debutant Lei Peifan in the first round. The tournament, featuring a £2.395 million prize fund with £500,000 for the winner, has already delivered high drama, with top players like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, and Mark Selby in action.
Star-Studded First Round
World No. 1 and 2019 champion Judd Trump took on Zhou Yuelong, leading 6-3 after their initial session. Seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, aiming for a record eighth title, faces long-time rival Ali Carter in a blockbuster clash, with the score at 5-4 in O’Sullivan’s favor. Four-time champion Mark Selby battles Ben Woollaston, while Shaun Murphy secured a 10-4 victory over Daniel Wells.
Key Upcoming Matches
The first round continues with critical matches. On Wednesday, April 23, Zhang Anda faces Pang Junxu at 10am, while Luca Brecel takes on Ryan Day at 2:30pm. Evening sessions feature Selby vs. Woollaston and Trump vs. Yuelong, both concluding their matches. On Thursday, April 24, Brecel and Day wrap up their first-round contest at 1pm, with second-round schedules to be confirmed. First-round matches are best of 19 frames.
Tournament Dynamics
The early exit of Wilson, the 20th victim of the ‘Crucible curse’ where no first-time champion has defended the title since 1977, has opened the field. O’Sullivan, despite limited competitive play since January, remains a favorite, with recent practice showing a 147 break in under seven minutes. Trump, in scintillating form, and Selby, fresh off strong Tour Championship performances, are also tipped to go deep. The championship’s long-format matches test endurance, with the final set for May 4-5 over 35 frames.
