Ronnie O’Sullivan is taking on Ryan Day in the second round of the World Snooker Championship today as the seven-time champion aims to build on his dominant opening victory at the Crucible Theatre.
O’Sullivan – who is not only looking for a record eighth crown but is trying to become only the fourth man to win the Masters, UK Championship and Worlds in the same season – made short work of the 22-year-old Jackson Page, winning 10-1 to progress with ease.
The experienced Day, three times a quarter-finallist at the Crucible, promises to be a stiffer challenge, however. The 44-year-old Welshman saw off 15th seed Barry Hawkins in the first round, winning 10-8 to book his spot against O’Sullivan and reach the second round for the first time since 2014.
Follow the score and latest updates from O’Sullivan v Day at the World Snooker Championship below.
Judd Trump: ‘I wouldn’t get out of bed for breakaway tour’
Speaking of Judd Trump, he revealed he rejected offers to join a rival snooker tour after cruising into the quarter-finals of the World Championship with a 13-7 win over Tom Ford at the Crucible.
Trump says he has no interest in the prospective LIV-style breakaway, which is understood to emanate from the Far East and requires a commitment to play in eight regular events plus a grand final in exchange for a six-figure sign-on fee.
“A few people have tried to contact me and I just couldn’t be bothered,” said Trump. “If they try to contact me or my brother I just tell them to go away. I’m very happy where I am, with the tournaments I play in.
“I need something with history and heritage. I need something to play for. I don’t think I would really get out of bed for an exhibition series.”
Lawrence Ostlere28 April 2024 09:39
World Snooker Championship schedule and results so far
A record number of seeds fell in the first round to open up the draw at this year’s World Championship. The prospect of Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan meeting in the semi-finals looks very real, but there is plenty of work for both players before that moment, not least today’s meeting with Day.
Here’s a closer look at the results and upcoming schedule:
Lawrence Ostlere28 April 2024 09:18
O’Sullivan: I’d walk away from snooker if I felt under-valued
World Snooker Tour (WST) chiefs have relaxed rules on player contracts since a high-profile row in October, when five leading players were threatened with legal action after indicating they would skip the Northern Ireland Open in favour of a lucrative exhibition in Macau.
Players are now able to play in exhibitions provided they do not clash directly with WST events – the number of which is set to increase following WST’s high-profile and potentially-lucrative link-up with Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom staged the inaugural World Masters of Snooker last month – complete with a prize for potting a golden ball which will double to one million US dollars (currently £800,500) next season – and will also hold its first ranking event in Riyadh in August.
The deal appears to have placated a number of leading players, including O’Sullivan, who has signed a separate promotional deal with the kingdom, but he maintained he would have no hesitation in moving on if he received more favourable opportunities.
“The bottom line is, you’ve got to be prepared to walk away,” O’Sullivan added. “If I didn’t get what I want, am I prepared to walk away from the sport? The answer is yes.
“I’m happy with my life. I don’t need the financial rewards that snooker has offered me. I’m playing because I want to play but I have a value. I’m away from home and my family need looking after. A lot of it is done for them really, so I have to value my time and that’s what it’s all about.”
Lawrence Ostlere28 April 2024 08:59
O’Sullivan: I’d walk away from snooker if I felt under-valued
O’Sullivan said: “Every player has the right to do what they want to do. Each sportsman is a business, whether you like it or not and it’s just like any other job – if you get a better offer, you’re going to go.
“What is a better offer? For some people it might be a reduced schedule, it might be more money. Everyone has a different idea of what is right for them and everyone has the right to make that decision for themselves.
“I’ll go wherever I’m looked after and wherever I feel like I’m valued. For me, I just want to play snooker, I want to have fun, I want to be looked after and pampered. Anyone who wants to pamper me and look after me, I’m your man.”
Lawrence Ostlere28 April 2024 08:44
O’Sullivan: I’d walk away from snooker if I felt under-valued
Ronnie O’Sullivan declared himself open to offers amid rumours of a rival snooker tour and warned he would walk away from the sport if he believed his talent was being under-valued.
Leading players, including O’Sullivan, are understood to have been approached by Far East backers about the prospect of establishing a breakaway circuit from as early as next season.
And O’Sullivan, who polished off a 10-1 win over Jackson Page in the first round of the Snooker World Championship in Sheffield, insisted players were within their rights to consider any lucrative opportunities that came their way.
Lawrence Ostlere28 April 2024 08:28
First round: O’Sullivan thrashes Page to cruise through opening match
Resuming 8-1 in front after a dominant opening session on Wednesday, the world number one duly swept up the two frames required to book a last-16 clash with Ryan Day.
His victory was the 48-year-old’s most emphatic at the Crucible since his 10-1 triumph over Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh at the same stage four years ago.
Lawrence Ostlere28 April 2024 08:15
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ryan Day
Welcome to live coverage of the World Snooker Championship, as Ronnie O’Sullivan takes on Ryan Day for a place in the quarter-finals.
Lawrence Ostlere26 April 2024 18:20