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Ronnie O'Sullivan opens WST Classic with victory, Judd Trump joins snooker 900 club, Jimmy White comeback glory

World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan got his WST Classic campaign up and running with two sparkling centuries in a 4-2 win over Egypt's Mohamed Ibrahim on Friday in Leicester. The world No. 1 needs to win the inaugural event and £80,000 first prize at the Morningside Arena to keep alive any prospect of qualifying for the eight-man Tour Championship in Hull at the end of the month (March 27-2 April).

WST Classic: Who needs what as Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson face missing Tour Championship snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson are in grave danger of missing the elite eight-man Tour Championship later this month – the final ranking event before the season-ending World Championship in Sheffield. Mark Allen, Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter, Kyren Wilson and Ryan Day have already secured their respective places via the one-year list at the Tour Championship (March 27-2 April) with three more spots available ahead of the start of the inaugural WST Classic on Thursday in Leicester (16-22 March). Ad Welsh Open holder Robert Milkins, new Six Red world champion Ding Junhui and four-time world champion Mark Selby hold the remaining three places in the standings, but could yet be toppled by a chasing pack consisting of 15 players.

Shaun Murphy leads Vera Selby tributes after death of first women's world champion – 'A pioneer of women's snooker'

Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, has led the tributes to Vera Selby after the death of the first women's world snooker champion on Monday, the day of her 93rd birthday. Born in the Yorkshire town of Richmond in 1930, Selby lifted her maiden world title in 1976 with a 4-0 victory against Muriel Hazeldine in Middlesbrough before emulating the feat five years later, courtesy of a 3-0 win against Mandy Fisher on the Isle of Wight. Ad She continued to play, coach, referee and commentate on the sport – including being part of the BBC team during Alex Higgins' famous run to the 1982 Crucible crown in Sheffield – after lifting the women's world billiard championship eight times between 1970-1978.

Stan Moody handed world title shot after Ronnie O'Sullivan heaps praise on snooker wonderkid – 'He will win tournaments'

World junior champion Stan Moody is set to enjoy an early taste of the snooker big time when he begins his first crack at the Crucible next month. 16-year-old Moody secured his professional tour card for next season with a 5-1 victory over Liam Pullen in the World Snooker Federation junior final before losing 5-0 to China's Ma Hai Long a week later in the senior version, but will continue his development by making his debut in the sport's blue-chip event. Ad The Halifax wonderkid has been invited to compete at the English Institute of Sport with 15 other leading amateurs as qualifying begins (3-12 April) for the 47th World Championship (LIVE on Eurosport and discovery+).

Ding Junhui holds off Thepchaiya Un-Nooh challenge to claim second Six Red World Snooker Championship

Ding Junhui held his nerve superbly to secure a second Six Red World Championship with an 8-6 victory over home favourite Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in Bangkok. The Chinese sporting icon lifted the trophy in 2016 with a last-gasp 8-7 win over Stuart Bingham, but dominated the 14th frame before a vociferous home crown to avoid being forced to another final-frame decider.

Woman provokes outrage on social media after drawing map suggesting Manchester is in the MIDLANDS

A woman sparked outrage on social media after drawing a map suggesting Manchester should be in the Midlands rather than the north of England.

Huge waterfront food and drink village to open at Salford Quays

A huge new waterfront food and drink destination, with a sun terrace and a host of food traders and restaurants, is to open at Salford Quays this summer. Called Central Bay, it will be spread over 25,000 sq ft, with space for 600 people.

Judd Trump starts Six Red World Championship with whitewash win, defending champion Stephen Maguire crashes out

Masters champion Judd Trump launched his Six Red World Championship campaign in style on Monday with a 5-0 whitewash of Ricky Walden in Bangkok. The 2019 world champion with 15 reds showed he means business at the shorter format as he bids to claim the £100,000 first prize at the Thammasat University Convention Centre in Pathum Thani. Ad He tops Group D after the opening day of the elite invitational event with Chinese teenager Ma Hailong completing a 5-3 win against local player Kritsanut Lertsattayatthorn in the other match in the section.

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Sheffield Sport News

Ronnie O'Sullivan opens WST Classic with victory, Judd Trump joins snooker 900 club, Jimmy White comeback glory

WST Classic: Who needs what as Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson face missing Tour Championship snooker

Shaun Murphy leads Vera Selby tributes after death of first women's world champion – 'A pioneer of women's snooker'

Stan Moody handed world title shot after Ronnie O'Sullivan heaps praise on snooker wonderkid – 'He will win tournaments'

Ding Junhui holds off Thepchaiya Un-Nooh challenge to claim second Six Red World Snooker Championship

Woman provokes outrage on social media after drawing map suggesting Manchester is in the MIDLANDS

Huge waterfront food and drink village to open at Salford Quays

Judd Trump starts Six Red World Championship with whitewash win, defending champion Stephen Maguire crashes out