Ronnie O'Sullivan retains world No. 1 spot ahead of bid for record eighth Crucible snooker title after Mark Selby defeat

02.04.2023 - 08:23 eurosport.com

World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has been handed a major boost ahead of his bid for a record eighth Crucible crown in Sheffield later this month.

Despite failing to lift a ranking event this season, O'Sullivan has clung onto top spot in the world boosted by the £500,000 he earned for his 18-13 win over Judd Trump in last year's World Championship final that saw him equal Stephen Hendry's haul of seven titles between 1990-1999.

Ad He faced losing that status to old rival Mark Selby, who needed to reach the Tour Championship final in Hull this weekend to move above O'Sullivan before the 47th World Championship begins later this month (April 15-1 May LIVE on Eurosport).

Tour Championship'It’s difficult' – Murphy echoes Hendry criticism of ghostly Tour Championship atmosphere30/03/2023 AT 07:32 Selby would have moved 3,500 points clear of O'Sullivan if he defeated Shaun Murphy in the semi-finals, but an agonising 10-9 defeat to the 2005 world champion – who he defeated 18-15 for his fourth world title in 2021 – denied the Leicester man the chance to end the Rocket's 11-month stay at the top.

Sporting 1 Neil Robertson Mark Selby Ronnie Osullivan Shaun Murphy Judd Trump Stephen Hendry Sheffield

Friday's schedule — Second round Ad 10:00 World ChampionshipHearn 'fell off chair laughing' after Vafaei’s dig at O’SullivanAN HOUR AGO Luca Brecel 4-4 Mark Williams Jak Jones v Neil Robertson 14:30 Ronnie O'Sullivan v Hossein Vafaei Mark Allen 5-3 Stuart Bingham 19:00 Luca Brecel v Mark Williams Jak Jones v Neil Robertson Essential reading ahead of O'Sullivan v Vafaei... Hearn 'fell off chair laughing' after Vafaei’s dig at O’Sullivan Hendon: History shows fired-up Vafaei may regret O'Sullivan trash talk 'He should retire!' — O’Sullivan v Vafaei war of words: How grudge match unfolded Exclusive: 'I'm an easy target' — O'Sullivan responds to astonishing Vafaei attack Ronnie O'Sullivan has given his response to Hossein Vafaei ahead of their eagerly-anticipated last-16 showdown at the World Championship amid the latest instalment of their ongoing spat.

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Ronnie O'Sullivan has given his response to Hossein Vafaei ahead of their eagerly-anticipated last-16 showdown at the World Snooker Championship amid the latest instalment of their ongoing spat. After winning his first-round match at The Crucible, Vafaei told Eurosport's Rachel Casey he wants to «shut» O'Sullivan's mouth in what represented an astonishing broadside after setting up their second-round encounter in Sheffield.

World Snooker Championship 2023: Latest scores, results, schedule, order of play as Ronnie O'Sullivan goes for glory

All eyes are on Ronnie O'Sullivan at the world-famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield as the snooker legend tries to win a record eighth World Championship title. But he faces some stiff competition from the likes of the in-form Shaun Murphy — who won the recent Tour Championship — Mark Allen, Judd Trump and Mark Selby.

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Mark Williams has weighed in on the ongoing spat between reigning champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and Hossein Vafaei at the World Snooker Championship ahead of their battle in the last 16 at the Crucible Theatre. Vafaei has said he wants to «shut» O'Sullivan's mouth in what was an astonishing broadside after setting up their eagerly-anticipated showdown in Sheffield.

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