O’Sullivan in charge against China’s He at Crucible

Ronnie O’Sullivan, 50, secured his seventh World Championship title in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020, and 2022. In his latest pursuit of an eighth, he dominated the opening session against He Guoqiang, a Chinese rookie. O’Sullivan’s early control led to a 5-0 lead, and he now holds a 7-2 edge in the match, needing just three frames to clinch the victory when play resumes on Wednesday at 14:30 BST.

He Guoqiang, ranked 47th globally, has been absent from major events since withdrawing from the Masters in January. This year, he has competed in only three of six ranking tournaments, with a notable run to the World Open final in China, where he achieved a 153-break—a record for professional snooker. Despite his efforts, O’Sullivan’s commanding performance suggested he was already ahead.

“This has really been a masterclass from Ronnie O’Sullivan. It’s been like watching a genius at work.” – Ken Doherty, 1997 World Champion and BBC pundit

O’Sullivan admitted his form had been inconsistent for years, claiming he was “very, very poor” over the past three. He skipped media day on Friday, yet spoke to BBC Two before the match, acknowledging his struggles while expressing confidence in his ability. “I’m quite happy being called ‘Rusty Ron’—it’s a label I earned,” he said. “I don’t need to play many tournaments to win, and I don’t need much practice.”

Despite his self-deprecating remarks, O’Sullivan quickly silenced any doubts, building a 4-0 lead with century breaks of 72, 97, and 113. He Guoqiang managed to win two consecutive frames but could not halt the Englishman’s momentum, which was fueled by a 52 and 86 break in the final frames of the session. A victory here would set up a potential clash with four-time champion John Higgins in the last 16.

Judd Trump beats Higgins 18-9 in 2019 final

Judd Trump, the 2019 World Champion, faced a challenge in his first-round match against Gary Wilson. After losing four of the first five frames, Wilson, ranked 27th, took a 4-1 lead. Trump rebounded with a strong finish, including a 128 and 77 break, to narrow the gap and hold a 5-4 advantage before the match resumes on Wednesday at 19:00 BST.

“The last couple of frames have been the best I’ve seen from Judd for a long time.” – Stephen Hendry, former seven-time Crucible winner

Trump, who has held the world ranking since August 2024, will aim to extend his dominance if he progresses past the early rounds. Wilson, a three-time ranking event winner, showcased his skill with a 139 clearance in frame five, but Trump’s resilience proved decisive.

Liam Pullen and Chris Wakelin finish their match on Wednesday

Liam Pullen, a York-based player ranked 86th, made his Crucible debut after returning to the World Snooker Tour following a break. He had to navigate four qualifying rounds to reach this stage, a journey he described as “starstruck” in retrospect, recalling a chance meeting with Mark Williams in 2018. His match against Chris Wakelin will conclude on Wednesday, adding to the day’s action at the venue.