World Snooker Championship 2025

It looks great on paper and will I say that Kyren Wilson's defence couldn't be that much more difficult start, but the tie for me is Ronnie against Ali Carter will be a good match.

Aside from the O'Sullivan v Carter grudge match the matches that stand out the most for me are

John Higgins v Joe O'Connor
Ding Junhui v Zak Surety
Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei

I think Ding Junhui would have been a good draw for Zhao Xintong, but he'd be even happier getting Jak Jones. Zhao must even be favourite to win that one, but it musn't be forgotten that Jak Jones was last year's runner up.

Ronnie's got Craptain Carter, so he better turn up and be on his best form to knock the Craptain out.

I think any seed who got Zak Surety, Joe O'Connor or Wu Yize would be up against it. Ding's in and out of form so he might find it tough going against Surety. Mark Williams has struggled in the 2nd half of the season, so he might find Wu Yize a tough customer. Judd won't have it all his own way if Zhou Yuelong's on good potting form.

One notable omission from the draw is Jackson Page. Joe O'Connor is a tough opponent at the best of times, and I wonder how much the media interest in Page's double maximum affected his preparation to face an opponent like Joe. As a consolation, Page got the £147K bonus, only the winner and the runner up are going to get more than that.

(17-04-2025 09:37 )Joannis Wrote:  I think Ding Junhui would have been a good draw for Zhao Xintong, but he'd be even happier getting Jak Jones. Zhao must even be favourite to win that one, but it musn't be forgotten that Jak Jones was last year's runner up.

Ronnie's got Craptain Carter, so he better turn up and be on his best form to knock the Craptain out.

I think any seed who got Zak Surety, Joe O'Connor or Wu Yize would be up against it. Ding's in and out of form so he might find it tough going against Surety. Mark Williams has struggled in the 2nd half of the season, so he might find Wu Yize a tough customer. Judd won't have it all his own way if Zhou Yuelong's on good potting form.

One notable omission from the draw is Jackson Page. Joe O'Connor is a tough opponent at the best of times, and I wonder how much the media interest in Page's double maximum affected his preparation to face an opponent like Joe. As a consolation, Page got the £147K bonus, only the winner and the runner up are going to get more than that.

I would agree Page ia notable omission after what he did but I'm sure the 147K is good compensation. Will they present him with a cheque for it before play starts on Saturday?
And the obvious question: - do we want Tubs Murphy out in the first round?

I reckon they'll present Page with the cheque at the end of the final when they present the winner and runner up with their cheque. Page might even get an additional £15K for the high break prize if no one else makes a 147. Of course we want Tubbs out in the first round, do you even have to ask.

What do you know, Daniel Wells heroically ousts #17 Gary Wilson, only to draw Tubs instead. Some tough draws, but I suspect that the upsets won't come from where they're forecast to. I also hope Ronnie decides it's worth the challenge - R2 vs Zhang/Pang must be worth a try?

World Championship Preview - The Seeds

16. Jak Jones
A stirring run to the final last year and at times this season has shown decent form. Enough indeed to just about hold on to his top 16 place. The longer matches I suspect will suit the Welshman but he could not have picked a more difficult opponent out the hat than Zhou Xintong.
If Jones finds a way through it gets no easier with a rematch against Kyren Wilson looming in round two

15. Shaun Murphy
The feast or famine player of all the seeds in the tournament. Will it be Jekkyl or will it be Hyde? I'm not even sure Murphy himself knows the answer to that one. If he finds his groove he will be difficult to stop even for Judd Trump in round two should they both get there.
But such is his record at The Crucible he is just as likely to lose first round as he is make the final. So absolutely all outcomes are possible.

14. Xiao Guodong
His matchplay game has improved and certainly came to the fore in the first half of the season. Has tailed off a smidgen in recent months but his best game is a match for anyone. His Crucible record is not the best and I feel he will need to really raise his level to be a factor.

13. Si Jiahui
It seems an eternity since Si Jiahui was miles in front of Luca Brecel in the semi final before suffering a collapse to lose. In reality it was only 2023. Just 2 years ago.
The question is has his game improved? While he has done enough to be a seed the shot selection credentials have to be questioned in a tournament like this. He no longer has the novelty factor. Players have sussed him out and are eager to pounce once he pushes the boat out a few too many times. Something he is prone to doing way too often. In long matches he may get even more found out than usual.

12. Zhang Anda
The snooker Panda has had a disappointing season with a few last eight appearances being about the best he could manage. He is a much better player than this season would suggest but confidence seems low at present and Pang Junxu represents a tough opening match. Form indicates he may struggle to make an impact but form is often no indicator at all so who knows?

11. Barry Hawkins
Barry has had an inconsistent season. Some deep runs in big events but equally some early exits in other tournaments too.
His best stuff has proven exceptionally strong and he loves The Crucible which could help him. Hossein Vafaei will be a very dangerous first round opponent however who is in stroke after hitting five tons on judgement day to qualify.
The all round game for Hawkins is definitely there and if he can play his best stuff when it counts it would not surprise me if he has another deep run in Sheffield.
But that first round match is really extremely tough.

10. Ding Junhui
Winner of The International Championship earlier in the season. Has had some other decent runs but also some disappointing early exits. Consistency in all parts of his game is all over the place. The frustration is clear to see for Ding.
Hard to know which version of him is going to turn up and when. His break building in around the pink and black spot is formidable but when the cue ball has to travel a long way he sometimes comes unstuck.
Needs to be at his very best to win.

9. Neil Robertson
A much better season for The Thunder from Down Under.
Won the English Open and blitzed his way to a World Grand Prix triumph. He has had a number of other good runs in events this season and has looked a lot more like his old self. His recent Crucible record is not great so he will be looking to put that right this year and rekindle the spirit of 2010. Has the all round game for sure.
Just a question of putting it all together over seventeen days at the home of snooker.

8. Mark Allen
An alarming slump in the second half of the season for the Northern Irishman after a fairly stellar first half. Seems to have got a bit bogged down and started to see problems that aren't really there. Watching him of late leaves me concerned for his prospects in Sheffield because the fluency has gone missing.
No better time and place to relocate it but his draw is tough.

7. Luca Brecel
Signs of revival in recent months. A bit of the old mojo is creeping back. If the full on Luca makes his presence felt he could yet go on another barnstorming run and win the whole thing such is his self confidence and ability to pull out sensational shot making. A proper force of snooker nature who captured the imagination like nobody before in 2023. Can he possibly do it all again?
Time will tell.

6. Mark Williams
Recently it is eyesight that has become the big issue for the three time champion. Has openly admitted to guesswork on some shots. A major worry going to the biggest tournament over the longest timescale. Has the nous and the game to win at his best. Class of 92 still going strong but will his eyes be in full working order?

5. Ronnie O'Sullivan
Has missed a lot of tournaments so none of us know how his game or his temperament will stand up to the test in the ultimate snooker pressure cooker. Will his cue action flow? Will his discipline be strong enough? Is he in stroke? Will he have the patience and clarity of mind to see it through? So many questions, so little evidence as per the likely answers. But this is a 7 time World Champion remember. The biggest box office draw in the history of the sport. One more title to stand alone with 8 World Crowns.
It would be some achievement if he pulls it off.

4. Mark Selby
Lord Granite of Graniteshire.
The type of game perfect for this championship over this distance. If he gets past the banana skin first round it's a case of everyone watch out.
He has a B and C game that can stifle anyone else playing their A game.
That makes him uniquely dangerous especially in best of 33 and best of 35 frame matches. The performance of Brecel to beat him in 2023 was the best I have ever seen by anyone in a World Final. His record at The Crucible is stellar. Likely to be a major factor and very much a contender to claim a fifth World title.

3. John Higgins
The revisiting of all the Wizard of Wishaw favourite yesterday's in recent months. His World Open victory was amazing enough but the Tour Championship victory was just absolutely unbelievable. Renaissance unconfined. The final victory over Mark Selby, the man who had seemingly taken over the granite mantle from Higgins himself saw a partial reclaiming in Manchester. The way the Scot rallied to win after a long run of frames lost was truly remarkable. His form going to Sheffield is superb. Can he pull off the ultimate fairytale and claim a fifth crown? What a story it would be.

2. Judd Trump
A stellar season like so many before this one with numerous titles to his name. But many will say for all his titles the fact that he only has won one World Championship is not a true reflection of his ability.
Just why is his Crucible record so poor? The effects of long hard seasons with so many deep runs in regular tournaments perhaps? Or could it be that the Crucible test just does not suit his game like other formats do.
The conundrum for Trump is clear to see. His schedule management this season seems to have been more considered and strategic.
Maybe that might make a discernible difference. He will certainly hope so.

1. Kyren Wilson
The reigning World Champion has been inspired by his success of 2024. The confidence oozing from his cue. More titles won this season and an assured sense of belief and serenity very much to the fore. His form is excellent right now but his draw is pretty tough from round two onwards and gets harder as it goes. Plus of course he is battling the Crucible curse. Can he be the man to finally break it or will he fall short like all those before him?
He seems unperturbed by all mention of the curse and indeed even motivated by it.
His game and his mind are in great shape. Opportunity knocks.

Ronnie O'Sullivan looks set to play after pep talks from Barry Hawkins and help from Steve Peters as well.

https://x.com/WeAreWST/status/1913244135...AVlnA&s=19

Well I've put my pre tournament bet on the winner who will now promptly lose 10-0 in the first round without potting a single ball just to make me look even more stupid than I already am

(18-04-2025 17:33 )Snooks Wrote:  Ronnie O'Sullivan looks set to play after pep talks from Barry Hawkins and help from Steve Peters as well.

https://x.com/WeAreWST/status/1913244135...AVlnA&s=19

I'm glad he's going for it, not least because it's a bit past the 11th hour now.