Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby tipped to reach 2023 World Snooker Championship final by Jimmy White

Snooker legend Jimmy White has tipped Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby to contest the 2023 World Championship final at the Crucible. The tournament kicks off in Sheffield on Saturday, with defending champion O’Sullivan meeting debutant Pang Junxu and four-time winner Selby facing Matthew Selt. Ad O’Sullivan has not progressed beyond the quarter-finals at a ranking tournament this season, although he was won two invitational events, the Hong Kong Masters and Champion of Champions.

Meanwhile, Selby has lifted the English Open and last month’s WST Classic. World ChampionshipO’Sullivan weighs in on 147 v nine-darter v hole-in-one debate4 HOURS AGO Speaking to Eurosport ahead of the tournament in Sheffield, White gave his predictions for each first-round match and who he thinks will reach the final. “On paper, I think the two finalists will be Mark Selby and the GOAT, Ronnie O’Sullivan,” said White.

Should the pair come through four matches on snooker’s biggest stage, they would clash in the final on April 30 and May 1. O’Sullivan is chasing a record eighth title, having drawn level with Stephen Hendry after beating Judd Trump in last year’s showdown. He has only defended his world title once – in 2013 – when he did not play for most of the season.

O'Sullivan ready to 'climb the mountain' ahead of Crucible opener with Pang Who stands between O'Sullivan and record eighth world title? Jimmy White's first-round predictions (selected matches) Ronnie O'Sullivan v Pang Junxu JW: «Tough game, Pang got to the final of the last ranking tournament [the WST Classic] and lost narrowly to Mark Selby. He was 4-0 down against Ken Doherty and ended up winning his match to qualify, so he’s obviously a very tough opponent. But he’s playing the