Sheffield - players.bio

'Exactly what he needed' - Ronnie O'Sullivan makes 185th Crucible century against David Gilbert at World Championship

Ronnie O’Sullivan found himself with his back against the wall at 3-0 down to David Gilbert in the first round of the World Championship, and responded in the best way possible with a stunning break of 122. The third frame of the first-round clash was a bitter one for O’Sullivan, as he was in command at 54-0 to the good but Gilbert got back in and stole it with a clearance from green to black. Ad/> The first round is best of 19, so losing it was not fatal but it left O’Sullivan under pressure.

Minute's silence cut short as Man City fans disrupt tribute to Hillsborough victims at FA Cup semi-final vs Liverpool

A minute's silence before kick-off in the FA Cup semi-final tie between Manchester City and Liverpool had to be cut short on Saturday.

Mark Selby shakes off slow start to World Snooker Champs title defence to build lead over Jamie Jones

Mark Selby shrugged off a sluggish start to establish a 6-3 lead over qualifier Jamie Jones in the opening session of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.

Mark Selby shakes off slow start to title defence to build lead over Jamie Jones

Mark Selby shrugged off a sluggish start to establish a 6-3 lead over qualifier Jamie Jones in the opening session of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.

World Championship snooker: Can Ronnie O'Sullivan keep world No. 1 spot after predicting 'carnage' for Crucible seeds?

Ronnie O’Sullivan goes into the 46th World Championship at the Crucible Theatre as snooker's leading player, but what does he have to do to keep the coveted world No. 1 spot? The 38-time ranking event winner replaced world champion Mark Selby at the top of the rankings earlier this month despite losing 10-9 to Neil Robertson in an epic semi-final at the Tour Championship in Llandudno. Ad/> Yet it could be a short-lived return to the summit with O'Sullivan needing to pull off a record-equalling seventh world title on Monday 2 May to have any chance of retaining the position at the end of the season.

World Snooker Championship 2022: Mark Selby, Ronnie O’Sullivan in action on blockbuster opening day

The 46th running of the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield begins with defending champion Mark Selby getting things underway at 10:00. He faces Jamie Jones on table 1 while Zhao Xintong takes on Jamie Clarke on table 2. The afternoon session – starting at 14:30 — is headlined by Ronnie O’Sullivan, who faces Dave Gilbert.

Ronnie O’Sullivan describes his work with Zhao Xintong and claims: ‘He could be the greatest of all time’

Ronnie O’Sullivan reckons Zhao Xintong could be the greatest player of all time and he is helping him do just that by imparting some of his break-building mastery on the young star.

'Just words' - Ronnie O'Sullivan dismisses Hossein Vafaei 'retire' attack as other players weigh in

Ronnie O’Sullivan has shrugged off criticism from snooker rival Hossein Vafaei who described him as ‘not good for the game’ and told the 46-year-old to retire from the sport. The Iranian star launched a scathing verbal attack on O’Sullivan, calling the record 38-time ranking event winner ‘disrespectful’ for his perceived negative attitude to the sport and fellow players. Ad/> Vafaei, 27, also accused O’Sullivan of failing to use his platform to promote the game: «You’ve been in the situation to make the game bigger, why haven’t you done it?” he demanded.

Contacts

Sheffield Sport News

'Exactly what he needed' - Ronnie O'Sullivan makes 185th Crucible century against David Gilbert at World Championship

Minute's silence cut short as Man City fans disrupt tribute to Hillsborough victims at FA Cup semi-final vs Liverpool

Mark Selby shakes off slow start to World Snooker Champs title defence to build lead over Jamie Jones

Mark Selby shakes off slow start to title defence to build lead over Jamie Jones

World Championship snooker: Can Ronnie O'Sullivan keep world No. 1 spot after predicting 'carnage' for Crucible seeds?

World Snooker Championship 2022: Mark Selby, Ronnie O’Sullivan in action on blockbuster opening day

Ronnie O’Sullivan describes his work with Zhao Xintong and claims: ‘He could be the greatest of all time’

'Just words' - Ronnie O'Sullivan dismisses Hossein Vafaei 'retire' attack as other players weigh in