World Championship - Ronnie O'Sullivan Seals Fourth World Title

World Snooker Championship Final Day: Ronnie O'Sullivan seals his fourth world title by beating Ali Carter 18-11 in the final. Congratulations!

Ronnie O'Sullivan seals fourth world title with his son Ronnie Junior (right)

O'Sullivan led Ali Carter by 10-7 overnight and he had a blinking start in the third session as well. The Rocket blasted to take all four frames before mid interval to lead Ali Carter by 14-7. We were thinking if there would be night session as Ronnie only needed four more to lift up the trophy.

The Captain finally won his first frame in the third session during frame 22. He added another two frames on the scoreboard with breaks of 105 and 53, looked forward to take another frame at the end of third session to reduce the deficit. Notwithstanding Carter tried hard, O'Sullivan won the last frame with efforts of 64 and 55 to go 15-10 ahead. He just required three more frames in the last session to crown.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

First frame of the night session went to Ronnie's hand before Carter put up a fight in the next to trail 11-16. Carter would love to drag the match into mid interval but The Rocket won the other two frames required to seal his fourth World Title. Ronnie Junior and Ronnie's mother Maria were delighted, joining the celebrations. 

Ronnie O'Sullivan replaces John Higgins to become the oldest player to win the World Championship, at age of 36 and five months. He now shares the same number of World Title (four) and 24 ranking titles with John Higgins. The Rocket has beaten three World Champions (Ebdon, Williams, Robertson) and two World Finalists (Stevens, Carter) on the road to conquer the Crucible for the fourth time.

Ronnie held his son tightly through out the whole prize ceremony, he said: "I didn't think I'd ever get the opportunity to share a moment like this with my son Ronnie so it's so nice to have him here. He loves snooker, I've tried to turn him off it but he's having none of it. I got a bit emotional even before the match was over because I felt it was just me and him in the whole arena. It's the best feeling I've ever had in my life.'' 

O'Sullivan: It's the best feeling I've ever had in my life

He also thanked Dr. Steve Peters for helping him along the way, ''we're fortunate to be able to play this game, so it's allowed me to be happy in my life and enjoy the game as well. I'm not a better player, I'm just giving myself more of a chance I suppose.'' 

Being asked about if he would retire after the massive victory, "I've had a long time to think about everything I've done. I'm not saying I have retired but what I am saying is that my family has become the most important thing in my life. I've made plans, but I'm making no knee-jerk reactions, I'm taking a few months off and I'll assess the situation. I know there's a big responsibility for me to promote the game and I think I do do that, and if I could play in every tournament I would but it's hard sometimes.''

The runner-up Carter said: "I'm just disappointed to lose. I didn't feel like I played well in the final, Ronnie put me under all kinds of pressure out there, his safety was unbelievable, even his break offs had me in trouble every time. I was pleased I did compete and I'll be back next year. Ronnie played the better snooker so he's going to get the luck, but the better man won. He's a genius and it's the Ronnie O'Sullivan show.''

Carter: I'm just disappointed to lose

First of all congratulations to Ronnie. He played a great tournament with consistency in the past 17 days. I am happy to see him having better mentality compared to his last two appearances at the Crucible. He has got the right mind after winning the German Masters in February. I hope that he can keep this to play on the next year.

Although Carter lost to O'Sullivan again in the final after 2008, his journey to get to the final is good enough for the man who has been struggling with Crohn's disease in the past 12 months. The moment that he beaten Judd Trump 13-12 from 9-12 down was huge. It was completely out of my expectation, indeed in a good way. Carter lost his top 16 place despite reaching the final, I truly believe he will get back into the elites very soon.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results

World Championship - O'Sullivan Ahead Of Carter In The Final

World Snooker Championship Day 16: Ronnie O'Sullivan led Ali Carter by 10-7 overnight in the World Final, after two sessions of playing.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter before the World Final

The final started in a quirky way. The cueball went off when Carter scored which Ronnie punished for such a mistake to take the opening frame. The first century in the final appeared in the second frame, 117 from The Rocket to go 2-0 up. Carter settled down in the next frame, levelling off 2-2 at mid interval with a top break of 84.

The first two frames after mid interval were shared before Ronnie made a superb 92 clearance to lead 4-3. One more frame to end the session, O'Sullivan produced total clearance of 141 to lead 5-3 before the night session started. Although Carter won the opening frame of the night session but O'Sullivan won the next three to gain three-frame advantage at mid session.

Once led The Captain by 9-6, Ronnie seemed would have four-frame-cushion but The Captain got the last frame of second session with the aid of a fluke. Ronnie O'Sullivan still leads by 10-7 overnight.

Ali did not play his game too well today, neither Ronnie was at his best. Perhaps Carter should go for more long pots with confidence as energy storage is crucial in long matches. I don't deny the strategy of putting more safety into his game but I think playing his own game will be the more comfortable.

First player to win 18 frames would lift the trophy and top prize of 250000 pounds. Ronnie needs 8 more while Carter needs 11. Third session kicks off at 2.30pm and the final session starts at 7.30pm.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Carter And O'Sullivan Repeat 2008 World Final

World Snooker Championship Day 15: Ali Carter and Ronnie O'Sullivan set up a repeat of 2008 World Final in 2012.

We are back to 2008 World Final, the two finalists

The Captain was the first one to book his final place, his second world final. Carter led Maguire by 14-10 before the final session, he simply did not want the match to go into mid interval. In the opening scrappy frame, Carter was trapped in a superb snooker that missed to hit the red for six times until Referee Leo Scullion decided not calling a foul. Maguire went for the double but missed, left Carter a difficult red but Carter potted it and cleared up.


A superb fluked red in the next frame put Carter just one frame away from victory, 16-10. The match appeared to be finished before mid interval, Maguire hit back to win the next two frames to keep his hope alive. Nevertheless, Carter got his job done with a 70 break to claim the victory, 17-12.

Carter And Maguire

The former Welsh Open and Shanghai Masters champion said: "I'm not just happy being in the final. We'll see what happens. On the performance of his opponent, Carter said: "I'm surprised by the way Stephen played. I think he thought he was going to beat me easily the way he started." Maguire said after his lost, "There were at least eight frames I lost on the colours or the last red. I took so many hits I felt like a punchbag out there. It starts to hurt after a while when you get so close. I don't know how to take this one to be honest."


The third session of O'Sullivan versus Stevens were shared, 4-4 despite the fact that Stevens could win the session and got closer on the scoreline. Stevens showed his effort to trail by 9-12 but his errors during the last two frames of the session put Ronnie into a good position to reach the final. Ronnie claimed 15-9 lead, and during the last session of the semi-finals, Stevens surrendered by 10-17.

The Rocket may retire after the championship? 

 "I don't intend to stay in the game long; even though I've been in a much better place I've made the decision that this might be my last time playing in this tournament," said 36-year-old O'Sullivan. "I've weighed up the plusses and the minuses and I'm quite comfortable with that decision, if I win it great, absolute bonus, if I don't at least I can say I've gone out on a high.'' "Yes! I hope he does retire!" said the Welshman. "I can't see him doing it but you never know with Ronnie, if he did retire as world champion, what a perfect way to finish but I think he loves the game too much.

The two players in this year World Final are the same as that of in 2008 but the main difference would be none of them has made a 147 in the previous rounds. The final in 2008 was not close, Carter lost by 8-18. However, Carter got advices from Peter Ebdon this year. "I feel totally different to the way I did four years ago. I was mentally knackered then. I wasn't getting to bed until about 3 in the morning."

Who Will Lift The Trophy?

The head-to-head is all the way Ronnie O'Sullivan leads, 13-1. Carter has never beaten Ronnie in a ranking tournament but Carter needs the title to put himself back into the top 16. I hope it would stimulate Ali trying to play his best snooker but still O'Sullivan is the favourite to win his fourth world title. 

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - O'Sullivan And Carter Lead In The Semis

World Snooker Championship Day 14: Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter lead their opponents in the semi-finals, hopefully the 2008 World Final will be repeated.

Rocket O'Sullivan

Leading 5-3 before the second session, O'Sullivan struggled at the beginning. Matthew Stevens took the opening two frames of the session to level 5-5 after stunning 63 clearance to steal the frame from Ronnie's hands. The Rocket played better, 62 and a ton put him 7-5 ahead of Stevens at the mid interval.

Ronnie found his form, winning another four in a row (total six a row this session) with runs of 98, 94 and a ton. The Essex cueman had an clear advantage over Stevens, 11-5 with two more session to go tomorrow. He could kill off the match tomorrow morning if he win six out of eight frames to be played during the third session.

I believe many Rocket fans may found an interesting pattern - O'Sullivan played his best snooker during the second session of the match. He took six consecutive frames during second session in the four matches he have played in the championship so far. What a weapon to win a match.

Captain Carter flying high in the sky

Carter extended his lead to 14-10 after the first two sessions. Carter dominated the match, 5-3 and 10-6. He won most of the tight frames on colours, even down to the final black.  The standard of the match is higher today, Carter made breaks of 118, 134, 73 to lead 14-7. However, Maguire took the final three frames of third session to ensure Carter would not have a session to spare tomorrow.

Carter v Maguire will finish at 2.30pm and winner of O'Sullivan v Stevens will be determined at 7pm.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - O'Sullivan Saw Off Robertson To Made Semi-Finals

World Snooker Championship Day 12: Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Maguire, Ali Carter and Matthew Stevens are the four players who advanced to semi-finals.

O'Sullivan saw off Robertson to make semi-finals

The Rocket trailed Neil Robertson by 3-5 after the first session. The three-time World Champion had a brilliant performance in the second session, taking six frames in a row to lead Robertson by 9-5 with a few quality breaks. Despite struggling at the afternoon, the 2010 World Champion claimed last two frames of the session to trail 7-9 before final session kicked off.

Ronnie had a healthy lead 12-8 over Robertson with runs of 100 and 104 but Robertson swung back to trail 10-12 with 89 and 77. Ronnie killed the match with 59 in the frame 23 to beat Robertson by 13-10.

Poor afternoon session cost Robertson the match

Following his victory, the 36 year-old said: "It's nice to enjoy the game, and to play with openness which is my natural game. Robertson said, "I played too slowly in the afternoon - I just couldn't get going, I couldn't get any rhythm. On his opponent, O'Sullivan added: "Neil's had a great tournament, he's been fantastic and he's had another good season."

This is the first Crucible semi-finals since 2008 for The Rocket. He will play Matthew Stevens who beaten Ryan Day by 13-5, winning 10 straight frames to enter the semi-finals. Stevens, who will now play either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Neil Robertson, said: "I'd be lying if I said that I thought I'd get back here - to the semi-finals of the World Championship.'' "It would mean everything to win it, but I feel I'm going to have to improve if I'm going to go any further.''

Ali Carter came through tests from Jamie Jones with scoreline of 13-11 to advance to semi-finals. Carter led Jones by 9-7 in the previous session, he made a good start to be 12-8 up on Jones. The Crucible debutant took the following three frames. The pressure is now on The Captain's shoulder. Carter who overcame Trump in the last round held his nerve to win with a break of 73. 

Jamie Jones & Ali Carter

"What an incredible performance [from Jamie] to get through to a quarter-final and make so many century breaks, he's an awesome player, gutsy as you like. He reminds me of Graeme Dott, always there on your heels and it was only my safety that won me the match." Jone said, "I'm so at home out there I can't really explain it, I've loved being here, it's been the best experience of my life.

Stephen Maguire saw off Stephen Hendry yesterday by 13-2 and therefore he got a session to spare today. Tomorrow will be down to one table set-up, with Maguire versus Carter and O'Sullivan versus Stevens.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

Stephen Hendry Announced Retirement

Stephen Hendry made the announcement of retiring from the game at the press conference of his quarter-finals defeat. He lost to Stephen Maguire by 2-13. His decision shocked everybody. 

The Legend Stephen Hendry

The seven-time World Champion has beaten Stuart Bingham and the Defending Champion John Higgins to reach the quarter-finals. I believe Hendry had not regret as he made his eleventh maximum break in the first round, to level off Ronnie O'Sullivan's record of making the most 147s.

Hendry said in his press conference: "I made the decision about three months ago, I didn't tell many people, I only told two or three people but this is me finished in tournament snooker. It was quite an easy decision, there's a few reasons which I'm not going to go into in detail and bore you with. The schedule didn't help, the fact that I'm not playing the snooker I want to play doesn't help, the fact I don't enjoy practice doesn't help. I've got other things I want to do, I've got a lot of commitments now in China which I've signed up for and I can't do both, I can't do that and play snooker, because I would never be at home, so the time is right for me.

"If I'd have won this event, it would have been an even better way to go out. I'm delighted that I've made a maximum here, that's why I was more animated than normal when making it, I was delighted to do it on my last appearance here. It wasn't a spur of the moment thing, I thought about it last year, but 2 or 3 months ago I decided enough was enough.

After dropping out of the Top 16 this season, Hendry seemed to play better snooker compared to the previous season. Making a maximum at the Crucible, his last tournament to be played in the professional circuit is the best ending of his career. Although Hendry had not won a full ranking title since 2005 Malta Cup, he had archived more than everybody had won so far in the game. 

Being one of the greatest player ever in the sport, I wish Hendry all the best in the future. Thank you for all your brilliant matches and magic moments that brought to us in these 26 years.

World Championship - Captain Ali Carter Massive Turnaround on Judd Trump

World Snooker Championship Day 10: The Captain Ali Carter made a massive turnaround on Judd Trump, winning 13-12 from 9-12 down to reach quarter-finals.

Captain Ali's massive turnaround

Ali Carter did not enjoy a good season this year due to his Crohn's disease. Having only reached one quarter-finals this season, Carter came to the Crucible with a good form. He won his first round match, beating Mark Davis by 10-2 to meet Judd Trump. However, Carter fell 7-9 down behind after second session. I believe not many people could believe The Captain would make a comeback.


The first four frames of the final session were shared between Trump and Carter. Trump went for 147 in frame 19 but he broken down on the 13th red. After the mid interval, Trump added another frame on the scoreboard, setting to reach quarter-finals for the second consecutive years, leading Carter by 12-9.

Judd Trump and Ali Carter

Fearless Carter tried maximum in the next frame but he ran out of position on 81. He found himself back into the match, winning the next two frames with a top break of 53 to level 12-12 against Trump, forcing a decider. The UK Champion had two good chances to score in the decider but missed the opportunity on easy balls. Carter made 47 to go 48 points ahead, with one red left on the table only.


Never-give-up Trump got three out of the four snookers he needed but The Essex man finally potted the last red to secure the thrilling victory. The Captain clinched his fist to celebrate the massive victory. Trump is gracious in defeat, "If I was fully fit then I would expect to play a lot better but I just tried to play the best I could in the conditions. He played better, he was more mentally ready and I struggled," he said. 

Trump struggled in the last few frames

"I knew I was hitting the ball well, at 12-9 I thought just get to 12-10 and he knows I'm there," said Carter. "I played some solid match snooker at 12-11 and that's all it takes. Judd just pots them from everywhere but there's more to this game than just potting them from everywhere believe me, and I've proved that today.'' "Now he (Trump) can feel what it feels like to have a nasty scar in your career. He was in it to win it but so am I."

Ali Carter will face Jamie Jones next in the quarter-finals, who saw off Andrew Higginson by 13-10. Higginson won four in a row to level 10-10 from 6-10 down but the 24-year-old held it off to win with runs of 135 and 50. Jones said, "With qualifying it is four long matches I have played now but I still feel really fresh and I am looking forward to my next game. I have played against Carter once before and I won, so hopefully that's a good omen!''

Ronnie O'Sullivan blasted into the final eight with a 13-6 victory over Williams. "I haven't had an easy draw," said O'Sullivan, who is aiming for his fourth world title. "I think whoever wins this tournament will have to beat Neil Robertson and I've got to play him in the quarters so it's definitely not easy. But I'm a competitor, I'll always give it my best and we'll see."

Matthew Stevens

Matthew Stevens set up a all-Welsh quarter-finals match against Ryan Day after defeating Barry Hawkins 13-10. This is Steven's first quarter-finals in five years, "My last final here was seven years ago and I'm not getting any younger, but I still feel as if I can compete with the so-called top players, if I play my game and score heavily.''

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Superb Ronnie O'Sullivan Played His Best Snooker

World Snooker Championship Day 9: Ronnie O'Sullivan played his best snooker to go 11-5 up on Mark Williams, requiring two more frames to play Robertson in the final eight.

Ronnie O'Sullivan at his top form

The Rocket had a 5-3 lead on Mark Williams overnight. Williams had chance to win the first frame of the session but his mistakes put himself into the trouble. Ronnie had a blinking start of 107. He went on to take the following three frames before mid interval, with runs of 74, 51 and 68 to be 9-3 ahead of The Welshman.

The mini break did not cool The Rocket's hands. A dominating O'Sullivan played his best snooker to make it 11-3, with a marvellous break of 128 and a nearly century 93. The three-time World Champion could have a session to spare if he won the next two frames. Credits must be given to Mark Williams, who made 86 after losing nine frames in a row to guarantee the match would go to the final session. Williams took the final frame of session as well to trail 5-11 behind O'Sullivan.

Judd Trump

Last year's finalist Judd Trump found his way today to lead Ali Carter by 9-7 from 3-5 down. Unlike O'Sullivan v Williams match, there are more safety exchange but still a high-quality match to be watched. Trump won the opening frame with 120 to narrow the gap but The Captain missed the frame ball pink to regain two-frame advantage in the next frame. Nevertheless, Carter made 112 before Trump levelled off at mid interval.

Trump won the next two frames to go 8-6 up before Carter pulled one back with 54. Trump could not be stopped by Carter, 79 in the final frame of the session guaranteed himself to lead 9-7 overnight.

Crucible Debutant Jamie Jones is 10-6 ahead of Andrew Higginson, setting to reach the quarter-finals by winning three more frames tomorrow. Matthew Stevens and Barry Hawkins all squared at 8-8 after two sessions. 

 World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Stephen Hendry Defeated Higgins To Move On

World Snooker Championship Day 8: Stephen Hendry defeated defending champion John Higgins to make quarter-finals.

Stephen Hendry reached his 18th Crucible Quarter-Finals

The seven-time World Champion took the frame he needed today with a break of 64 as he led Higgins by 12-4 after the two sessions of playing. Hendry won 13-4 and compiled his 18th Crucible quarter-finals. Hendry will play another fellow countryman, Stephen Maguire who had collected a 13-7 win over Joe Perry.


"Stephen Maguire looks very solid. He's hard to beat. Anything can happen from here on in. I love playing here. It's the best place to play snooker in. You've just got to try and take the chances given to you." Hendry said. "John's had a poor season by his standards. This place is hard, if you miss a few balls it's hard to get going.''

"I've gone into this season not doing the right things on or off the table. You only get out of life what you put in. This season I've not done the right things and I've not deserved anything out of the game. Next year I'm going to try and rectify that and come back a more focused player and a better prepared player.'' Higgins had won three titles last seaon but nothing this season. "Over my career I've been a bit of a winner and you don't like going through this, you've got to pick yourself up and try and win more tournaments, I got to prepare better for tournaments..

Ryan Day

Ryan Day defeated Chinese qualifier by 13-7 after a disappointing second session for him. Day's advantage reduced to two frames only as Cao won 5 frames out of 8 played during the second session, only trailing by 7-9 behind. The Welshman produced a fantastic final session, taking four frames he needed before mid interval to win the match with runs of 113, 53, 87 and 119. 

"I scored well, I started really well and kept the pressure on him this evening," said Day, who was 7-3 down to Gerard Greene in the final qualifying round but hit back to win 10-8. "I was lucky enough to get some good scoring opportunities and of all the sessions I've played so far, I felt that that was the best.'' Day will face either Matthew Stevens or Barry Hawkins next, "It would be nice to play Matthew but me and Barry are good friends as well so let the best man win.   

Ronnie O'Sullivan stepped up to lead 5-3 after being 2-3 down on Mark Williams at the end of first session. Ali Carter had an two-frame advantage over Judd Trump overnight. Both matches resume at 2.30pm on Sunday.

 World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Neil Robertson Saw Off Gilbert To Progress

World Snooker Championship Day 7: Neil Robertson saw off David Gilbert by 13-9 to be the first man progress to the quarter-finals.

Neil Robertson is the first man through to quarter-finals

2010 World Champion led Gilbert by 5-3 after first session had completed. The last two sessions were played today, with Robertson extended his lead to 10-6 with runs of 76, 77, 82 and 92. Gilbert put up a strong resistance at the final session. Robertson took the first frame of the session before Gilbert won the three out of the next four with 69, 121, 67 but Robertson collapsed his hopes to win 13-9.


"I take my hat off to David because he hung in there and gave it everything," said Masters champion Robertson. "He played to top 16 standard and never looked under pressure.'' Gilbert said: "It was such a buzz to play here and it makes me determined to get out of the cubicles and get to more venues." Robert will play the winner between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams, he said, "I'd love to play Ronnie next because it would be a great atmosphere and I've got a good record against him, he brings the best out of me."

Stephen Hendry

Stephen Hendry encountered the Defending Champion, John Higgins in the last 16. This is the first time they play each other at the Crucible. After two sessions of playing, Hendry had an huge advantage over Higgins, 12-4 requiring just one more frame to reach his first ranking quarter-finals since 2010 China Open.


The high-quality first session, ended up Hendry led 5-3. Hendry made 81, 69, 93, 123 and 67 while Higgins knocked 124 and 52. However, the defending champion struggled at the night session. Both players made loads of errors but Hendry took the advantage on Higgins, he took sevens frames out of eight they played. 

Higgins struggled to find his form

On-fire Maguire dominated his match against Joe Perry. Maguire found his form and won six frame out of eight they played to lead 11-5. Runs of 91, 80 and 75 helped Maguire to outplay Perry. He just needs two more to advance to quarter-finals. Ryan Day leads Cao Yupeng by 6-2 as the Chinese qualifier showed signs of nerves and missing crucial shots.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Mark Williams To Meet Ronnie O'Sullivan In Last 16

World Snooker Championship Day 6: Mark Williams is the last man through to second round, beating Liu Chuang 10-6 to meet O'Sullivan next.

The Welsh Potting Machine

The Welsh Potting Machine with a better form today moved up to 9-4 at the interval and requiring just one more frame for victory. The Chinese took two more frames before Williams dash his hopes of comeback, winning the match by 10-6.


"I probably should have won it a lot earlier and every frame he was winning, I was starting to feel a bit more pressure. At one stage I was sat in my chair wondering how many more he was going to pull back. I'm just over the moon to scrape through.'' Being asked about losing to Ronnie in ranking events for ten years, "I've been owing Ronnie one for ten years. Let's hope that this time that I beat him. I enjoy the occasion really, but he always plays well against me. I need to play a lot better than that to stand any chance." 

The Captain

2008 World Finalist Ali Carter beaten Mark Davis by 10-2, showing some form today. Breaks of 44 and 48 brought first frame of the session before Davis won his second frame in the match. Total clearance of 132 in the next frame marked Carter's victory. "I'm pleased with the way I played, Mark obviously felt under the weather, but it was quite a good performance," said Carter. "It's only the first round so I'm not getting too excited but it's job done.'' He will face Judd Trump next.


Superb Neil Robertson led David Gilbert by 5-3 by the end of first session. Gilbert, who defeated Martin Gould in the previous round  was 3-1 up on Robertson at interval. Superb Aussie took the coming four frames with runs of 84, 106 and 131. Stephen Maguire led Joe Perry by the same scoreline with breaks of 101, 101, 52, 65 and 88.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Judd Trump Battled Through To Second Round

World Snooker Championship Day 5: Judd Trump beaten Dominic Dale by 10-7 to through to second round. 

Judd Trump battled through to second round

The UK Champion suffered from food poisoning on Tuesday morning but got better today. Trump led Dale by 5-4 when second session started but Dale scored the first two frames of the session to regain a lead. Trump levelled off 6-6 with 114 at the mid interval.


80 from Dale helped him to establish a lead again before losing two frames to let his opponent being 8-7 in front. A crucial fluke came in frame 17, Trump fluked a red which remind us the similar situation that Dale encounter when he faced Trump in the first round of UK, Trump won a crucial frame to stay in the match with two flukes. Dale had chances in frame 18 but he missed again, Trump won by 10-7.


"I'm tired, yesterday I felt worse, but today I'm more drained. I haven't eaten for two days, I tried to have some soup last night but other than that it's just been bread really, so I'm just glad to get out of there," said last year's runner-up. "It's the closest I've ever been to pulling out in a professional tournament. If it had been a smaller event like a PTC then maybe I wouldn't have played.'' Trump is very likely to face Ali Carter next, who leads Mark Davis by 8-1 at the end of first session.

Ryan Day shocked Ding Junhui

Ryan Day shocked Ding Junhui by 10-9, coming from 6-9 behind. The Welshman won the opening two frames of the session to extend his lead to 6-4 before losing the next five as Ding made breaks of 38, 52, 56, 69 and 57. Day did not give up, knocking 57 and 79 in the coming three frames to force a decider. Ding looked good in the decider but unexpectedly broken down on 48, an easy red with a rest. Day clinched the victory with a break of 64 to meet Cao Yupeng in the second round.

The two-time Crucible quarter-finalist Day said, "The pressure was really high. I was concentrating on breathing properly and was thinking about winning it. From 9-6 I drew inspiration from my daughters, all the way through clearing up I was thinking 'don't miss, don't miss.' My daughter believes if she tells me to win I lose and if she tells me to lose I win. So she's telling me 'lose dad.'

Frustrated Ding Junhui

The Chinese who reached semi-finals last year said: "It was all rubbish. I don't think I played well. I was concentrating on the game and people kept shouting. How can they do that? People say Chinese fans are not good but I come here and what do they do?" I believe this is out of frustration, no offence on the audience. Ding just has too much pressure on his shoulder from the Chinese fans. It is understandable.

World Number One Mark Selby lost to Barry Hawkins by 10-3 with a neck injury. Selby said after his defeat, "Ten days ago it looked as if I would have to pull out, so I'm pleased that I was at least able to play and try my best. There's never a good time for something like this to happen, but I wish it had been earlier in the season.'' Hawkins will play Matthew Stevens to compete for a quarter-finals spot.

Mark Williams led China's Liu Chuang by 6-3, requiring just four more frames to set up a clash against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the next round.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Ronnie O'Sullivan Advanced To Second Round

World Snooker Championship Day 4 - Ronnie O'Sullivan beaten Peter Ebdon by 10-4 to advance to the second round.

The Rocket with new haircut

'The Rocket' had a new haircut today to continue the challenge from Ebdon. Ronnie led Ebdon by 7-2 before the second session kicked off, requiring just three more frames to win. He opened with a break of 80 but Ebdon won the two frames out of the coming three to keep his hope alive. Ebdon trailed Ronnie by 4-9 at mid interval.


Ebdon was very likely to win another frame after the interval but he broken down on 50. Ronnie caught the chance and made clearance to claim the 10-4 victory. "I enjoyed playing - my attitude was good, my attitude's been good all season even though I've not been playing great," said O'Sullivan. "I've not been beating myself up so much for not playing great which is what I always do.''

Peter Ebdon

He added, "All credit to Peter, he's a top player and winner of our last tournament out in China, I knew it was going to be tough, that's what I got." Ebdon praised his opponent, "Even though he didn't play that well in that match there were four or five occasions of just sheer brilliance and inspiration, he's just fantastic to watch."


Former World Champion Graeme Dott, who has a good record at the Crucible trailed Joe Perry by 1-8 at the end of first session. Dott had no way turning back in the second session with 'nightmare snooker form', eventually being crushed out in the first round by 10-1. This is the biggest defeat in the first round so far in this year's championship.

Andrew Higginson

Andrew Higginson is the third Welshman to pass the first round after beating Stephen Lee by 10-6. Having a 5-4 narrow advantage over Lee overnight, Higginson won five frames he needed with Lee only scoring two frames today including a ton of 102. This is his first victory at the Crucible, and he will play fellow countryman Jamie Jones next. 

Higginson is pleased, "I'm over the moon to get through," "Stephen's been the most consistent player over the last three or four months, he's been the best player in the world in my eyes, so to play him and to get one over on him is an achievement in itself, so I'm thrilled.'' "Everyone was expecting Murphy to get through and all the seeds, but the standard of the game is very very high and Jamie deserves to be where he is because of the way he played.''

Judd Trump led Dominic Dale by 5-4 after first session as he got food poisoning in the morning and playing not well. Ding Junhui trailed Ryan Day by 4-5. Mark Selby struggling against Barry Hawkins, falling 3-6 behind the Snooker Shoot-Out Champion.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Jamie Jones Stunned Shaun Murphy

World Snnoker Championship Day 3: Crucible Debutant Jamie Jones stunned Former World Champion Shaun Murphy by 10-8 to advance to second round.

Jamie Jones beaten Shaun Murphy by 10-8

Murphy led the Welshman by 5-4 overnight and the first two frames of final session were shared, including an effort of 101 from Murphy. Jones levelled off 7-7 before putting himself in front of Murphy with 136 to go 8-7 up. Jones won the next long frame before Murphy pulled one back. Breaks of 32 and 26 in frame 18 built Jones the biggest victory in his career so far.

"I've never felt pressure like that in my life," said Jones. "I started off yesterday and struggled to settle down and got into it by the end of the session. Today was a bit of a mixed bag, I was playing some great shots and missing some easy ones. I've never played an occasion like that in my life.'' He added, "I know how well I've been playing, I knew if I scored well then I could win. I was just happy to be here, I just went out there to enjoy it and enjoy the experience. To come out a winner is fantastic."

Shaun Murphy

The 2005 World Champion who was going up in the first round said, "It was a fantastic game, I really enjoyed it. Its sounds funny saying that having got beat. I thought the match was really high quality, I thought Jamie held himself together really well and he didn't play like a debutant. He played a lot better than me on my debut, so full credit to him.'' Congrats to Jamie!

The game between Matthew Stevens versus Marco Fu was expected to be close and intense pre-match but eventually Fu could not give his best, having trailed 1-8 at the end of first session, unstoppable Stevens defeated the Hong Kong cueman by 10-4. 

Luca Brecel

17-year-old Belgian Luca Brecel's run at the Crucible is ended by Stephen Maguire. The young lad was 3-6 behind the Scot before today's session kicked off. He won two frames today including a break of 86 but Maguire proved that he was too strong for Brecel - runs of 101 and 94 secured his victory. Brecel said in post-match press conference, said: "I didn't play my best, unfortunately. Until next year! I think if I had won the second frame today it might have been a different match.

The Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan led China Open Winner Peter Ebdon by 7-2 after finishing the first session of their match. PTC Grand Finals Winner is 4-5 behind Andrew Higginson and they resume playing at 7pm tomorrow.

World Snooker released statement regarding Mark Allen's post match comments. The WPBSA will be writing to Mark Allen to initiate disciplinary proceedings. Allen was recently fined 1000 pounds for comments he made during Haikou World Open which he won, and now faces further action.  

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule