Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jackson Page LIVE: Latest scores and updates from World Snooker Championship
Ronnie O’Sullivan returns to the Crucible this week with the aim of becoming the record holder for most snooker World Championships won.
He has won the title seven times, a record he holds with Stephen Hendry, but would move clear with an eighth victory should he successfully won the tournament in Sheffield.
O’Sullivan is in fine form having triumphed in the UK Championship and Masters earlier this season and there is the possibility that he can make a clean sweep of snooker’s Triple Crown events if he wins this competition. It would be the first time in his career that O’Sullivan has achieved that feat.
And O’Sullivan roared out of the blocks as he built an 8-1 lead over Jackson Page in the first session of their first round match at the Crucible. O’Sullivan looked up for the task from the off as he fired four half-centuries plus a break of 122 in the fifth frame as he left the young Welsh qualifier next to no chance of rescuing the situation when they resumed Thursday.
It took just two frames in the session for O’Sullivan to confirm his spot in the second round where he will face another Welshman in Ryan Day.
Follow all the action from the Crucible below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jackson Page LIVE
Ronnie O’Sullivan defeats Jackson Page 10-1 in the first round of the World Snooker Championships
O’Sullivan leads 8-1 after opening session, needing two frames to reach next round
Page scores a 142 to tie the highest break of the tournament so far
O’Sullivan has won both previous matches against Page including in the English Open last October
The Rocket finishes the match in style winning the only two frames on Thursday
Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 14:20 , Mike Jones
“To do what I’ve done this season (winning five titles including UK Championship and Masters) in your whole career, you’d go ‘I’ve had a great career’, I’ve been doing that for 30 years.” O’Sullivan replied when asked about his longevity and desire to keep winning.
“I’ve had the greatest career of any other snooker player, how many people can sya they’ve been the best and most successful at their job? I have to give myself a pat on the back, because I don’t and I’m hard on myself, but the reality is no-one has achieved what I have achieved on the table.
“Statistically. I’m not a statistics guy, for me I just want to enjoy it and keep playing. What’s possible? I don’t know. It’s great to find out, let’s see what can happen.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 14:12 , Mike Jones
More from O’Sullivan: “I’ve felt as good the last couple of weeks on the practice tables as I have done the last six or seven years. I don’t lie when I say I’m not playing well. I say what I feel and I don’t care if I leave myself vulnerable, I have the confidence to back it up.
“I know the ability is there, it’s just finding the right formula, that’s what I’m trying to do. I’ve already broke the rules for snooker as far as I’m concerned.
“I still going at 48, 49 so I’m just seeing what’s possible. How long can you keep going for? Can I win a World Championship at 50? Who knows.
“I’m probably the only player that’s able to do that so let’s see.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 14:03 , Mike Jones
Reaction from Ronnie O’Sullivan:
“I played well, cued well. Jackson is a really good player and I knew I had to be on my game. It was one of the hardest first round draws you could get but I’m pleased with my performance.
“I just play, the harder the test the more I see it as a challenge. I’ve trained hard all my life, I’m mentality hard, I’m tough and ready to play.
“To be honest with you I played terrible for two years. I know I’ve won but that’s what I do, I win. That’s something I’ve been blessed with and you never lose that. You can play terrible and win, you just need the mindset of a winner, which I have.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:53 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan slots in the green with a long shot down the table and Jackson Page concedes the match! This session ends in around 40 minutes.
O’Sullivan needed just two frames today to reach the second round. That was a classy performance.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:51 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan finishes this break off by potting the yellow and moving 31 points ahead with 25 points left. Jackson Page will give it another go in the hopes of finding a snooker.
The next pot will decide this frame.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:50 , Mike Jones
A great safety shot from O’Sullivan forces Page into an error and allows the Rocket to take control of the frame again. There are just three reds left in play with five points separating the players.
O’Sullivan goes back into the lead but will have a couple of things to think about as the remaining reds are tricky. He takes one out, then the black.
The next red drops and again the black follows to take the break to 28. He comes down the right cushion and gets the last red! That’ll be the match...
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:46 , Mike Jones
Jackson Page takes on a tricky pink, he’s got nothing to lose at 9-1 down, but the colour ricochets out of the middle right pocket. O’Sullivan then takes the lead with a break of nine but bobbles the blue around the lip and gives the initiative back to Page.
It’s been an awkward frame this one.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:43 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan is chipping away at the reds but can’t get good enough positioning to rack up a huge break. He’s cut the gap to just two points but once again the players engage in a bit of safety play.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:40 , Mike Jones
Page leads 18-9 but O’Sullivan nestles a red into the middle left pocket. He puts in the yellow and looks to position the white down the opposite end of the table.
There’s nothing else to go at though and he is forced to play safe. This is a tense frame.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:37 , Mike Jones
Page is concerned that the cueball is about to drop into the top right and clips a red with his cue as he’s distracted. It’s a surprising foul which brings O’Sullivan back to the table.
He comes down the line and knocks in a wonderful long shot!
He then plays a snooker, hiding the cueball behind the green at the top end of the table. Page then fouls trying to slip the white up to the pack of reds.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:33 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan leaves a red over the bottom right pocket but Page doesn’t have a direct shot. He comes off the right cushion, pots the red and sets up the black with a kiss.
Great shot. Page scores first.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:32 , Mike Jones
Tactical play at the start of this frame with neither player wanting to take on the risky shots and the safety play being generally quite high.
It’s an unusual sight for two players who like to take pots on.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:27 , Mike Jones
A big difference with Ronnie O’Sullivan this season is that he’s been so determined and focused to succeed. He’s avoided any sort of risky shot and is content to wait for his opponent’s mistakes to appear.
This frame opens with a few safety shots and already the yellow and green have been displaced from their spots. Jackson Page has a horrible task.
He’s so far behind that he can only try his best to keep the match going as long as possible.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:24 , Mike Jones
In no time O’Sullivan’s break is up over 50 and he continues to polish off the remaining reds, using the blue as the positional colour. The remaining two reds are close to the left cushion and he can’t pocket any of them.
It’s quick work of the first frame as O’Sullivan takes it 79-16 and doesn’t leave his seat. O’Sullivan is one away from the second round.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:18 , Mike Jones
Yesterday, any chance O’Sullivan had to score he took. Page was blown away and the Rocket has picked up where he left off. He nestles a red into the bottom left then starts to build a break.
Red, black, red, black, red, black, rinse and repeat. Already this doesn’t look good for Jackson Page.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:16 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan leaves Page with a teasing potential pot to the bottom left pocket. Page takes it on and slides it home to get the first points on the board in this frame.
The black drops in too but Page isn’t set up for an easy red. Instead he has to go up the table to the green pocket... he gets it! That was superb from Page who pots the black again.
The cueball clips a red and lands close to the top cushion which ends his break at just 16.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:13 , Mike Jones
Robert Milkins and David Gilbert are playing the first session of their second round match on the second table but we’ll be following the end of Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jackson Page.
Page is the first to break off.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:10 , Mike Jones
Here are the top 16 seeds for the World Championship with eight of them already defeated:
1. Luca Brecel,
2. Ronnie O’Sullivan,
3. Judd Trump,
4. Mark Allen,
5. Mark Selby,
6. Mark Williams,
7. Ding Junhui,
8. Shaun Murphy
9. Ali Carter,
10. Gary Wilson,
11. Zhang Anda,
12. Kyren Wilson,
13. John Higgins,
14. Tom Ford,
15. Barry Hawkins,
16. Robert Milkins.
Those that lost their first round matches are: Brecel, Allen, Selby, Williams, Ding, Carter, G. Wilson, Anda
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:06 , Mike Jones
Ryan Day’s 10-8 victory over Barry Hawkins on Wednesday means that the record for the most seeded players falling at the first hurdle has been equalled.
In 1980, eight seeds lost their opening match, and that tally was matched in 1992, 2012 and now again in 2024 with defending champion, Luca Brecel, out first.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Thursday 25 April 2024 13:03 , Mike Jones
Alright, coverage is just starting on BBC 2. Ronnie O’Sullivan needs just two frames to move into the second round. The best result from the first round so far was a 10-1 victory for Kyren Wilson, can O’Sullivan match that?
Here’s how things stand:
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:58 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Ronnie O’Sullivan roared out of the blocks in his quest to become the first eight-time world champion in the modern era as he built an 8-1 lead over Jackson Page in the first session of their first round match at the Crucible.
O’Sullivan looked up for the task from the off as he fired four half-centuries plus a break of 122 in the fifth frame as he left the young Welsh qualifier next to no chance of rescuing the situation when they resume to a conclusion on Thursday.
Making his second appearance at the Crucible, the 22-year-old Page had plenty of early chances but careless errors cost him dear and he looked in real danger of losing the session to whitewash until he crafted a superb break of 142 in the seventh frame to clinch his only success of the day in style.
Otherwise it was business as usual for O’Sullivan, who has seemed much more at ease with the challenge of negotiating another 17-day marathon this year and started accordingly as he stifled any attempt by Page to establish momentum.
Ronnie O’Sullivan gets quest for eighth world title off to a flyer
Ronnie O’Sullivan dismisses talk of greatness ahead of World Championship opener
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:51 , Mike Jones
“I don’t regard myself as the greatest of all time,” said Ronnie O’Sullivan. “Statistically I suppose I am, but I’m just happy to be playing.
“I suppose as a kid I would have been desperate to be up with those guys but when you get there it’s a bit of an anti-climax – it’s not as great as you thought it would be.”
O’Sullivan, who won his first world title in 2001, currently sits on seven alongside Stephen Hendry, with Steve Davis and Ray Reardon one behind on six wins each.
Yet while the title-winning eras of those fellow greats spanned less than a decade, O’Sullivan’s longevity, which shows all the signs of pushing on beyond a quarter of a century, makes the reign of the ‘Rocket’ indisputably unique.
“I’ve had a different career to them,” added O’Sullivan. “They just did it over a 10-year period while I’ve sort of gone off track for five or six years, then got myself back together, then disappeared for another three years, then got myself back together again.
“I was a bit all over the shop really, stuff going on off the table that can affect how you perform. Hendry and Davis had everything fitted around them to focus on snooker, but that’s how it worked out for me, so I’ve had to go on longer.”
Shaun Murphy accuses Hossein Vafaei of ‘sacrilege’ after Crucible criticism
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:44 , Mike Jones
Former world champion Shaun Murphy has accused rival Hossein Vafaei of “sacrilege” after the Iranian launched a scathing attack on the conditions at the Crucible Theatre.
Vafaei described the venue as “smelly” and said the practice room was like a garage in the wake of his 10-5 World Championship first-round defeat to Judd Trump on Sunday.
But Murphy, who swept to victory over Lyu Haotian by the same score, jumped to the defence of the Crucible, which has hosted every World Championship since 1977.
Shaun Murphy accuses Hossein Vafaei of ‘sacrilege’ after Crucible criticism
Mark Selby to consider snooker future after ‘pathetic’ first-round Crucible loss
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:37 , Mike Jones
Mark Selby has vowed to consider retirement after crashing out of the World Snooker Championship in a “pathetic” 10-6 defeat to qualifier Joe O’Connor.
The four-time former champion finished a dismal season by his own standards on a low note as he failed to claw back a 7-2 overnight deficit against the only debutant in this year’s draw.
Having first questioned his future after a Tour Championship defeat to Gary Wilson earlier this month, Selby admitted something will have to change if he is to continue on the tour next season.
Mark Selby to consider snooker future after ‘pathetic’ first-round Crucible loss
Mark Williams rules out retirement after defeat to Si Jiahui at the Crucible
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:30 , Mike Jones
Three-time champion Mark Williams admitted he does not know whether he has played his last World Snooker Championship match after he suffered a dramatic 10-9 defeat to Si Jiahui in the first round.
Si continued his love affair with the Crucible as he followed up last year’s surprise run to the semi-finals by knocking out Williams in an epic clash.
Williams resumed with a 5-4 lead but it was the Chinese 21-year-old who hit the ground running on Tuesday, taking each of the opening four frames to go into the mid-session interval 8-5 in front.
Mark Williams rules out retirement after defeat to Si Jiahui at the Crucible
World Snooker Championship schedule, results and order of play from the Crucible
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:22 , Mike Jones
The 2024 World Snooker Championship has arrived with 17 days of top-class sporting action lined up at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield before the latest champion is crowned on Monday 6 May.
Ronnie O’Sullivan enters the tournament on the brink of history, trying to claim a record eighth world title at the Crucible and break the current tie of seven with Stephen Hendry for most World Championships in the modern era.
The 48-year-old has had a sensational season, already winning the UK Championship and Masters, meaning victory in Sheffield would not only give him eight titles from each of snooker’s biggest three events but also see him become just the fourth man – after Hendry, Steve Davis and Mark Williams – to win the three triple crown events in a single season. He is currently the favourite on snooker betting sites to do just that.
World Snooker Championship schedule, results and order of play from the Crucible
Snooker live coverage schedule
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:15 , Mike Jones
Thursday 25 April live coverage
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
When is Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jackson Page?
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:07 , Mike Jones
The first round match will be played across two sessions on Wednesday 24 April (from 2.30pm BST) and Thursday 25 April (from 1pm BST).
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the World Snooker Championship live across the BBC’s platforms. Here is there schedule for Wednesday and Thursday (all times BST).
Good afternoon!
Thursday 25 April 2024 12:00 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan returns to the Crucible this afternoon in what should be a fairly regulation outing for the seven time world champion as he looks to reach the second round of the World Championship.
O’Sullivan was in storming form yesterday as he raced to an 8-1 lead over Jackson Page in the afternoon session of their first round match and needs to win just two more frames to make it through to the next stage of the competition.
The duo will be in action from 1pm and we’ll have the build up and live coverage of the remaining frames. Can Page mount a comeback?
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 18:52 , Jamie Braidwood
Ronnie O’Sullivan roared out of the blocks in his quest to become the first eight-time world champion in the modern era as he built an 8-1 lead over Jackson Page in the first session of their first round match at the Crucible.
O’Sullivan looked up for the task from the off as he fired four half-centuries plus a break of 122 in the fifth frame as he left the young Welsh qualifier next to no chance of rescuing the situation when they resume to a conclusion on Thursday.
Making his second appearance at the Crucible, the 22-year-old Page had plenty of early chances but careless errors cost him dear and he looked in real danger of losing the session to whitewash until he crafted a superb break of 142 in the seventh frame to clinch his only success of the day in style.
Otherwise it was business as usual for O’Sullivan, who has seemed much more at ease with the challenge of negotiating another 17-day marathon this year and started accordingly as he stifled any attempt by Page to establish momentum.
Ronnie O’Sullivan off to a flyer as quest for record eighth world title begins
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:50 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan will be back at the Crucible tomorrow for the conclusion of his opening round clash with Jackson Page. He needs just two more frames to win and we’ll have all the updates from the table as he looks to reach to the second round.
Join us then.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:47 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:34 , Mike Jones
Any chance he could, Ronnie O’Sullivan put Jackson Page under pressure and it paid off handsomely. He won eight of the nine frames played today and needs two more to move into the next round.
Jackson Page has been blown away this afternoon but he showed his class with a break of 142.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:33 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan is flying now. Each pot is being met with loud applause as he moves further and further away from Page in the scoring.
O’Sullivan leaves nothing to chance with a confident break to move up to 98. The frame is his and he’ll take an 8-1 lead into tomorrow’s action.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 7-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:28 , Mike Jones
A couple of errors from Page give O’Sullivan an opportunity to work the table. There are only a couple of decent options after all the safety play but he picks them off easily enough.
A break of 36 comes to an end after O’Sullivan splits the pack but doesn’t leave a red open.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 7-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:23 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan attempts to curl the cueball around the blue to clip a red but misses. He fouls to give away four points but the next attempt comes off perfectly.
This has been the most tactical frame of the match so far.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 7-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:15 , Mike Jones
Okay then, the final frame of today’s action. Can Page get another one on the board and give himself so hope for tomorrow?
Both men engage in a couple of safety shots each before O’Sullivan plays a long one to the bottom left pocket. The red drops in but there’s no chance at following up with a colour.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 7-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:12 , Mike Jones
There it is! O’Sullivan comes down the table and pots a long shot on the yellow before taking out the green, brown and blue in quick succession.
When the pink and black drop the frame goes to O’Sullivan. He’s three away from the next round with just one to play this afternoon.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:10 , Mike Jones
Oh no. O’Sullivan miscues and fouls by hitting the black gifting seven points to Page. The gap is 35 points with 35 remaining on the table.
Page looks to tidy up the colours after taking out the final red then a black. He misses the yellow but doesn’t leave it available for O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan needs just get in to win the frame but Page is playing okay at the minute.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:05 , Mike Jones
Page’s persistance in paying off. He manages to draw one foul out of O’Sullivan but will need another four points before he can think about cleaning up.
Oh! Page tries to play safe and misses the red meaning he gifts the four points back to O’Sullivan. Two snookers still required.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 17:00 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan gets up to 66 with 59 points remaining on the table. That’s just two snookers with three reds on the table. Jackson Page will keep this frame going for a while yet.
He takes out a red and pairs it with the black but has nothing left on. He then plays safe and O’Sullivan leaves him on.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:55 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan is thinking his way through this table. He’s seen how good Jackson Page could be if he gets an opportunity so is systematically knocking off reds to limit those opportunities.
The scatttered reds are all disposed of with O’Sullivan slowly looking more confident at the table. He leads 32-1 and now needs to think about splitting the pack.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:48 , Mike Jones
Just the two frames left to go today. Page will be more confident now and has to take both of them to stay in touch with O’Sullivan heading into tomorrow.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:47 , Mike Jones
Oh yes Jackson! This has been the frame he needed. He created the opening with a risky but rewarding pot to unlock the reds then followed up with a composed trip around the table.
Red, colour, red, colour. All the way to a three figure break which gets the crowd excited too. The highest break at the Crucible this week is a 142 and Jackson Page equals it!
What a frame from the Welshman.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:40 , Mike Jones
Three more frames to go in this afternoon session and if Jackson Page has any chance of winning this match he needs to win all three of them.
He starts wonderfully with a long red and then the black. There are a couple of reds available to play off the black so this is a chance to score big.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:37 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan takes the balls down to the green with a very healthy lead. His opponent needs three snookers and the rest of the colours just to tie the frame.
Page continues for a little while until O’Sullivan knocks in a long pot for the green. The next four colours are tidied up and another frame goes to the Englishman.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:33 , Mike Jones
Jackson Page is flying fast and loose here. He manages to sink a difficult red and rack up a break of 27 before leaving the cueball safe.
O’Sullivan responds with a wayward shot himself and Page needs to come down the cushion. He hits the red too strongly and it doesn’t drop.
A slice to the bottom left pocket puts O’Sullivan back in control. He leads 42-27.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:29 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan is not letting up. He adds another 29 to his score then goes safe and nestles the cueball up to the top cushion leaving it snug behind the yellow.
Page escapes with a fantastic reply and doesn’t leave O’Sullivan anything to work with.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:24 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan again gets points on the board first. He’s done that in five of the six frames so far and from there has control of the table.
A quick couple of breaks sees him notch up 17 points but he leaves himself out of position needing a colour with the black ball blocked off.
He fouls playing up the table for the yellow and then hits it to leave a red on for Page. Page misses.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:20 , Mike Jones
A poor break off from Page is punished by O’Sullivan who follows up with the black whilst attempting to disturb the rest of the reds. They hardly budge and O’Sullivan has to play safe with a lead of eight.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:18 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan now knows that he’ll have a lead going into tomorrow’s session even if he loses the remaining four frames. Jackson Page needs to get his first frame on the board sooner rather than later.
He’s hardly had a chance to play the table yet.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:17 , Mike Jones
From that foul off Page, O’Sullivan doesn’t make a mistake. He calmly tidies up the reds, moves the pink up the table, knocks in a blue and works back down the table to play off the black.
The final red is an awkward one but he rolls in the pink, positioned on the green spot, leaves the cueball behind the red. He slots it into the top right pocket then works on clearing the colours.
When the green drops O’Sullivan brings up his century break! The brown, blue, pink and black all follow and O’Sullivan moves further in front.
That break was 129.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:10 , Mike Jones
Oh! Page attempts a cannon down the table to skew the cueball into a red hanging over the bottom left pocket. He manages to hit it but the white follows it into the hole.
That was almost perfect but now O’Sullivan has the initiative.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 16:08 , Mike Jones
The players are back out at the table with Ronnie O’Sullivan breaking off once again. There are five more frames to be played in this session and if Jackson Page can win three of them, he’ll still be in this match.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:57 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:49 , Mike Jones
Page looks on quite resigned to his fate at the minute as O’Sullivan fights against his own errors to kill off the frame. The cueball has moved all over the table with O’Sullivan mixing up long pots and directs shots to build a score.
A break of 81 is more than enough to send O’Sullivan into the mid session break with a four frame lead.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:44 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan has Jackson Page on the hook with some wonderful safety shots. He’s waiting for an error in positioning and will then start to attack again.
A longish pot to the bottom right drops for O’Sullivan and follows up with the yellow. A red and a pink come next but O’Sullivan has to work to extend his lead here.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:39 , Mike Jones
Jackson Page is not only playing Ronnie O’Sullivan but he’s also playing the against the pressure of the tournament. Every frame he loses or missed shot he makes will weigh heavy on his mind.
Oh my! O’Sullivan cannons a red of the cushion and into the opposite middle pocket to move 10-6 ahead in the fourth frame. He can’t go anywhere else so plays safe.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:32 , Mike Jones
Very tidy from O’Sullivan. there’s hardly any pressure coming from Page and when the Welshman has a slight chance to get something going, he’s been unable to take it.
Things are looking very good for O’Sullivan now.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 2-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:28 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan has a firm grip on the third frame, leading 64-27, after three fouls from O’Sullivan who’s given away 16 points. Page is back in the frame.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 2-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:17 , Mike Jones
Page gets a half chance to build a break first but can only muster 7 points after missing the brown to the middle right pocket. O’Sullivan gets rid of the deficit with two shots and tries to spread the reds.
The cueball is left in an awkward position and O’Sullivan decides to play safe sending the white to the top end of the table.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 2-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:10 , Mike Jones
Comfortable for O’Sullivan. Page needed a big colour and missed. O’Sullivan extends his lead and is given the frame once he misses his next shot.
The opening two frames go to Ronnie.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 1-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:08 , Mike Jones
The frame should be O’Sullivan’s, he leads by 58, but the remaining reds are close to the cushions. Page gets in with a long pot to the bottom left and rolls in the yellow.
He’s 55 behind now with 59 remaining so needs pinks and blacks to follow up the reds. This will be tricky.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 1-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 15:01 , Mike Jones
Now then, a chance for Page perhaps?
There’s a focused look in his eyes as he rolls in a red, spreads the pack and pockets a blue. Going across the table to the bottom left, the red pings off the pocket and bobbles out.
Advantage O’Sullivan.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 1-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:56 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan’s break ends at 22 and the two men engage in a battle of wits and safety shots. This frame may come down to whoever gets in next though the reds are still bunched together.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 1-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:53 , Mike Jones
Jackson Page is already more focused in this second frame, attempting a safety to leave the cueball close to the pack of reds.
There’s just one available to the top right pocket and O’Sullivan picks it out to leave a good angle on the blue. That’s unfortunate for Page.
O’Sullivan gets to build a break first again.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 1-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:49 , Mike Jones
A quick break of 16 from Page brings O’Sullivan back to the table. Page needs three snookers to get back in the frame but just seems to be practicing.
Both players miss the final red before O’Sullivan touches it into the top left pocket. He then systematically runs through the colours and takes the first frame 104-24.
Perfect start for him.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 0-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:46 , Mike Jones
Cool and composed work from Ronnie O’Sullivan. He moves through the reds towards the bottom end of the table and works off the black to accummulate a big lead.
With four reds left, he needs to think as they’re not in the most favourable positions. He comes down the left cushion and nestles a red onto the top left pocket before spinning back to slot home the brown.
His lead moves up to 62 with just 51 left on the table. O’Sullivan misses a red and Page decides to come to the table for a bit of a practice.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 0-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:42 , Mike Jones
An error in judgement means Page misses a difficult pot to the bottom left and gives the table back to O’Sullivan. He shouldn’t have any trouble extending his lead in the frame from here.
O’Sullivan leads 16-8.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 0-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:39 , Mike Jones
O’Sullivan splits the pack early in this frame and can slowly work his way around the table now... he misses a blue to the middle!
That’s unexpected and O’Sullivan’s break ends at just 16, there are plenty of reds available so Page can take advantage of that slip.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 0-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:37 , Mike Jones
Jackson Page scatters the reds with his first shot and gives O’Sullivan the first opportunity to get points on the board. He rolls the red straight into the middle of the bottom left pocket and leaves the pink to the middle left on, it drops too.
O’Sullivan looks in good shape early on here.
Ronnie O’Sullivan 0-0 Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:36 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan breaks off for the opening frame in this match. It is a best of 19 frames encounter - first to 10 - and there will be nine frames played during this session.
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:34 , Mike Jones
Here come the players. Jackson Page walks out at the crucible first before the room cheers loudly for Ronnie O’Sullivan.
In the other match of the afternoon Robbie Williams is hoping to get himself back in the contest agains Mark Allen who needs just three frames to reach the next round.
Ronnie O’Sullivan dismisses talk of greatness ahead of World Championship opener
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:25 , Mike Jones
“I don’t regard myself as the greatest of all time,” said Ronnie O’Sullivan. “Statistically I suppose I am, but I’m just happy to be playing.
“I suppose as a kid I would have been desperate to be up with those guys but when you get there it’s a bit of an anti-climax – it’s not as great as you thought it would be.”
O’Sullivan, who won his first world title in 2001, currently sits on seven alongside Stephen Hendry, with Steve Davis and Ray Reardon one behind on six wins each.
Yet while the title-winning eras of those fellow greats spanned less than a decade, O’Sullivan’s longevity, which shows all the signs of pushing on beyond a quarter of a century, makes the reign of the ‘Rocket’ indisputably unique.
“I’ve had a different career to them,” added O’Sullivan. “They just did it over a 10-year period while I’ve sort of gone off track for five or six years, then got myself back together, then disappeared for another three years, then got myself back together again.
“I was a bit all over the shop really, stuff going on off the table that can affect how you perform. Hendry and Davis had everything fitted around them to focus on snooker, but that’s how it worked out for me, so I’ve had to go on longer.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan dismisses talk of greatness ahead of World Championship opener
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:20 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan shrugged off suggestions of greatness on the eve of his bid to eclipse Stephen Hendry and become the first player to win eight world snooker titles in the modern era.
O’Sullivan is already routinely described as the best player to pick up a cue after a record-breaking career that includes eight Masters and eight UK titles within a total of 41 ranking tournament wins.
But the 48-year-old, who starts his first round match against Welsh qualifier Jackson Page on Wednesday, has never been one to pore over the record books, and questions whether such plaudits are worth having at all.
Ronnie O’Sullivan dismisses talk of greatness ahead of World Championship opener
Shadow of Saudi Arabia looms as World Snooker Championship faces toughest decision
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:15 , Mike Jones
The forthcoming World Snooker Championship should be centred around Ronnie O’Sullivan trying to win a modern-era record eighth title or Belgian Luca Brecel attempting to follow last year’s stunning triumph with a repeat performance, but instead large shadows loom over the sport.
The first comes from Saudi Arabia and is cast directly on the Crucible Theatre. Almost every year for at least the past decade, the question of whether the World Championship should move away from the Crucible, or even Sheffield completely, has reared its head – with varying degrees of heft behind it.
The debate generally falls into two distinct, easily delineated camps. History vs future. Romanticism vs pragmatism. Nostalgia vs ambition.
Shadow of Saudi Arabia looms as World Snooker Championship faces toughest decision
Shaun Murphy accuses Hossein Vafaei of ‘sacrilege’ after Crucible criticism
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:10 , Mike Jones
Former world champion Shaun Murphy has accused rival Hossein Vafaei of “sacrilege” after the Iranian launched a scathing attack on the conditions at the Crucible Theatre.
Vafaei described the venue as “smelly” and said the practice room was like a garage in the wake of his 10-5 World Championship first-round defeat to Judd Trump on Sunday.
But Murphy, who swept to victory over Lyu Haotian by the same score, jumped to the defence of the Crucible, which has hosted every World Championship since 1977.
Shaun Murphy accuses Hossein Vafaei of ‘sacrilege’ after Crucible criticism
Mark Selby to consider snooker future after ‘pathetic’ first-round Crucible loss
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:05 , Mike Jones
Mark Selby has vowed to consider retirement after crashing out of the World Snooker Championship in a “pathetic” 10-6 defeat to qualifier Joe O’Connor.
The four-time former champion finished a dismal season by his own standards on a low note as he failed to claw back a 7-2 overnight deficit against the only debutant in this year’s draw.
Having first questioned his future after a Tour Championship defeat to Gary Wilson earlier this month, Selby admitted something will have to change if he is to continue on the tour next season.
Mark Selby to consider snooker future after ‘pathetic’ first-round Crucible loss
Mark Williams rules out retirement after defeat to Si Jiahui at the Crucible
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:00 , Mike Jones
Three-time champion Mark Williams admitted he does not know whether he has played his last World Snooker Championship match after he suffered a dramatic 10-9 defeat to Si Jiahui in the first round.
Si continued his love affair with the Crucible as he followed up last year’s surprise run to the semi-finals by knocking out Williams in an epic clash.
Williams resumed with a 5-4 lead but it was the Chinese 21-year-old who hit the ground running on Tuesday, taking each of the opening four frames to go into the mid-session interval 8-5 in front.
Mark Williams rules out retirement after defeat to Si Jiahui at the Crucible
World Snooker Championship schedule, results and order of play from the Crucible
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:55 , Mike Jones
The 2024 World Snooker Championship has arrived with 17 days of top-class sporting action lined up at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield before the latest champion is crowned on Monday 6 May.
Ronnie O’Sullivan enters the tournament on the brink of history, trying to claim a record eighth world title at the Crucible and break the current tie of seven with Stephen Hendry for most World Championships in the modern era.
The 48-year-old has had a sensational season, already winning the UK Championship and Masters, meaning victory in Sheffield would not only give him eight titles from each of snooker’s biggest three events but also see him become just the fourth man – after Hendry, Steve Davis and Mark Williams – to win the three triple crown events in a single season. He is currently the favourite on snooker betting sites to do just that.
World Snooker Championship schedule, results and order of play from the Crucible
What to expect this afternoon
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:50 , Mike Jones
Today’s afternoon schedule of play:
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Jackson Page
Mark Allen v Robbie Williams
7pm session
John Higgins v Jamie Jones
Barry Hawkins 4-5 Ryan Day
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jackson Page
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:45 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan begins his chase for a landmark World Snooker Championship win as he takes on Jackson Page at the Crucible Theatre.
O’Sullivan, winner of the UK Championship and the Masters earlier in the season, is seeking to complete a clean sweep of snooker’s Triple Crown events for the first time in his career.
He arrives in Sheffield as the favourite for a title he has already won seven times, with an eighth win taking him clear of Stephen Hendry as the sole record-holder in the modern era.
Welshman Page has lost both of his previous meetings with O’Sullivan, including a defeat at the English Open in October.
Snooker live coverage schedule
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:40 , Mike Jones
Wednesday 24 April live coverage
10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
10:00-11:15 - BBC Two
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
Thursday 25 April live coverage
13:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app
13:00-18:00 - BBC Two
19:00-21:00 - BBC Four
How can I watch it?
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:35 , Mike Jones
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the World Snooker Championship live across the BBC’s platforms. Here is there schedule for Wednesday and Thursday (all times BST).
Ding Junhui 9-10 Jack Lisowski
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:31 , Mike Jones
Two fine breaks from Lisowski means he notches up 83 points and beats Ding Junhui 10-9 in a first round thriller. That’s a massive win for Lisowski and he held his nerve perfectly in the final frame to cling onto the win.
There’s about an hour to go now until Ronnie O’Sullivan comes onto the stage for his first match. We’ll take you through everything you need to know before then.
When is Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Jackson Page?
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:30 , Mike Jones
The first round match will be played across two sessions on Wednesday 24 April (from 2.30pm BST) and Thursday 25 April (from 1pm BST).
Ding Junhui 9-9 Jack Lisowski
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:29 , Mike Jones
A couple of fantastic long pots from Lisowski has enabled him to move up to a 55 point lead with six reds left on the table. It’s not an easy table to clear up and Lisowski is taking his time for the next shot.
One of the reds drops into the bottom right pocket with the cueball spinning back to leave the pink. He rolls that in too and moves 62 ahead with 67 left.
Another red and pink combo follows before Lisowski begins to tidy up the rest of the table. He’s going to win the match now...
Ding Junhui 9-9 Jack Lisowski
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:22 , Mike Jones
The final match from the morning session is just concluding and it’s going down to the final frame. Din Junhui has fought back brilliantly to force a decider against Jack Lisowski but the Englishman has the first break of the final frame.
Good afternoon!
Wednesday 24 April 2024 13:01 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s snooker action as we follow the afternoon session at the Crucible. Ronnie O’Sullivan is playing in the World Championship and is hoping to win the tournament for the eighth time.
His first round match will be spread over two sessions with the first beginning today at 2.30pm. Wales’ Jackson Page is O’Sullivan’s opponent and the Englishman has never lost to Page in either of the two matches they’ve played against each other.
Stick around and we’ll find out what kind of form O’Sullivan is in for this championship run.
