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Ronnie O’Sullivan pounces on Pang Junxu errors to take commanding lead in World Snooker Championship opener

Ronnie O’Sullivan started his quest for a record eighth World Championship crown by building a commanding 6-3 lead over Pang Junxu in the opening session of their first-round match at the Crucible. The world No. 1 arrived in Sheffield without a ranking title to his name this season, but he picked off his error-strewn opponent to leave him needing just four frames when the pair play to a finish from 19:00 BST later on Saturday.

World Snooker Championship 2023: What is the prize money for Crucible champion? Previous winners, Ronnie O'Sullivan odds

Is Ronnie O'Sullivan going to triumph yet again at the 2023 World Snooker Championship? He will be very well compensated if he does clinch an outright record eighth world title at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield this year. The Rocket, who is looking to eclipse fellow snooker legend Stephen Hendry on the all-time list of champions on the sport's biggest stage, is currently level with the Scot on seven Crucible crowns.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry: Who has the most World Snooker Championship titles, what is the record?

The greatest snooker tournament of the year — the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield — defines careers and legacies, and it is largely responsible for how each era of the sport is judged as each winner goes down in the history books. Despite the fact that many of the sport's biggest names have endured seasons to forget thus far, the World Championship can entirely make up for that with glory at the Crucible marking a campaign as hugely successful in any player's career.

World Snooker Championship 2023: How many 147s have been scored at the Crucible? How many has Ronnie O'Sullivan made?

There is nothing quite as exciting in snooker as when a player is closing in on a 147 maximum break with the crowd anticipating the glory of the moment, and the great Ronnie O'Sullivan is certainly no stranger to such memorable passages of play. Players nowadays often say that scoring 147s is no big deal and they achieve the feat frequently in practice sessions — but try doing it on the most famous stage in snooker at the Crucible Theatre and it is a lot more difficult.

Shaun Murphy expects World Snooker Championship 'tear up' with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Judd Trump

Shaun Murphy is ready for an “old-fashioned tear up” as he feels the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Judd Trump will bring their A games to the World Championship. O’Sullivan arrived at The Crucible for his tournament opener against Pang Junxu on Saturday as the defending champion, but he has had a low-key season with no ranking titles to his name.

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Sheffield Sport News

Ronnie O’Sullivan pounces on Pang Junxu errors to take commanding lead in World Snooker Championship opener

World Snooker Championship 2023: What is the prize money for Crucible champion? Previous winners, Ronnie O'Sullivan odds

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry: Who has the most World Snooker Championship titles, what is the record?

World Snooker Championship 2023: How many 147s have been scored at the Crucible? How many has Ronnie O'Sullivan made?

Shaun Murphy expects World Snooker Championship 'tear up' with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Judd Trump

Ronnie O'Sullivan to stay grounded at the Crucible

Ronnie O’Sullivan aims to keep controversy away during latest Crucible title bid

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