The greatest snooker player of all time, Ronnie O’Sullivan, returned to action on Wednesday afternoon as he stormed through the conclusion of his first-round clash with long-time foe Ali Carter at the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
O’Sullivan made plenty of mistakes during his first session since January, having taken time out from the sport to prioritise his mental health and wellbeing. But his opponent gifted up plenty of opportunities and the Rocket took a 5-4 overnight in their tight first-round battle. O’Sullivan then rattled off five frames in a row on Wednesday to run out a 10-4 winner.
O’Sullivan has pulled out of several events at short notice over the past 12 months, including the Masters at Alexandra Palace and admits he has been scared to go near a snooker table during his absence, while fearing he has “lost his bottle”.
He is currently level with Stephen Hendry for the most world titles won at the Crucible, with seven, and although he has played down expectations of securing a record-breaking eight this year, he does have form – having opted to miss the whole of the 2013 season before rocking up in Sheffield and winning the world title that year.
Follow all the action from the first-round encounter between O’Sullivan and Carter from the Crucible with our blog below:
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter - live updates
- Ronnie O'Sullivan returns to snooker action as he takes on Ali Carter in the first round of the World Championship | Live on BBC and TNT Sports
- O'Sullivan hasn't played in a tournament since snapping his cue in anger and walking out of the Championship League in January
- Ronnie O'Sullivan defeats Ali Carter 10-4 after winning five frames in a row in afternoon session
- Ronnie O’Sullivan off to near-perfect start with emphatic win over Ali Carter
Ronnie O’Sullivan off to near-perfect start with emphatic win over Ali Carter
17:33 , Mike JonesRonnie O’Sullivan made a mockery of his recent period of inactivity by reeling off three centuries in five frames as he completed a 10-4 win over Ali Carter in the first round of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
The seven-time champion, who has not played on the professional tour since he crashed out of the Championship League in January, looked close to his best as he swiftly set up a last-16 clash against Pang Junxu.
Ronnie O’Sullivan off to near-perfect start with emphatic win over Ali Carter
When does Ronnie O’Sullivan play next at the World Snooker Championship?
17:56 , Mike JonesRonnie O’Sullivan is into the second round of the 2025 World Snooker Championship after a confident and impressive 10-4 victory over old rival Ali Carter in the first round.
The 49-year-old hadn’t played competitively since January and has pulled out of recent tournaments, including the Masters, to focus on his mental health and wellbeing and it was unclear whether he would participate in the World Championship in Sheffield.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ronnie O’Sullivan’s next match:
When does Ronnie O’Sullivan play next at the World Snooker Championship?
'He wants to be here'
17:00 , Mike JonesMark Allen feels as though Ronnie O’Sullivan’s decision to play at the World Snooker Championship could be a bad sign for the other players.
Allen said: “Ronnie wouldn't have turned up here if he didn't feel like he was ready to win the tournament. He doesn't need snooker, he clearly wants to be here.
“He spoke very well there. He's his own worst critic, clearly, and he's always trying to get better. That's a sign of the genius of the man.
“It's so good to see him back, regardless of how he's playing, because snooker is better for it.”
'This game has a way of humbling you'
16:52 , Mike JonesO’Sullivan added: "I have some mental tools to work with to keep things tight, I will always tinker, but it's about when to let your instinct take over, I suppose.
"It ground me down, this game has a way of humbling you. I lost the buzz for the game, when you are not able to play the shots, I was having to bail out on a lot, I didn't have any range. I'm just trying to work my way back, rediscover some touch and feel."
Ronnie O'Sullivan, speaking to BBC Two
16:45 , Mike JonesThe seven-time world champion said: "I had no expectations so there were no nerves, I didn't expect to perform well based on the past three or four years. I just wanted to make a game of it.
"Ali had his chances yesterday, on another day he would been 6-3 up [after the first session], and again today he had a couple of chances. I cued a lot better than I did yesterday."
Mark Allen on O'Sullivan's win
16:38 , Mike JonesFellow competitior and pundit on BBC One, Mark Allen said:
“We can talk all day about some of the mistakes Ali made, but you just have to hold your hands up sometimes and say: ‘That is ridiculous snooker from Ronnie O'Sullivan’.
“He can't play any better than that - that's flawless snooker for five frames. It was a close match 90 minutes ago and it turned into a comfortable 10-4 win.”
Reaction from Ali Carter
16:32 , Mike JonesBeaten by Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round, Ali Carter said:
“I was always in it at 5-4 but Ronnie got going and I just seemed to keep finding myself in awkward positions.
“I got in the balls and split the pack a couple of times and missed a couple of blacks off the cushion. It just went from bad to worse.
“It begins to get a bit embarrassing out there but I’m playing the greatest player of all time, it’s not easy. I’ll be back next year.
“We’re sportsman and we both want to win. He was the much better player today.”
Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-4 Ali Carter
16:25 , Mike Jones
Reaction from Stephen Hendry
16:11 , Mike JonesSeven-time world champion, Stephen Hendry, spoke on BBC Two saying:
“He's been out of the game for a while, you wonder if he is still going to be as good at close matches out - here's your answer.
“The first sniff of winning the match and it's done.”
Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-4 Ali Carter
16:06 , Mike JonesA fourth century break of the match for Ronnie O’Sullivan!
He’s stormed through this afternoon session and won all five frames to storm to a 10-4 victory over his old rival Ali Carter.
Yesterday felt like he was rediscovering how to play in these big tournaments but today he has been prolific.
A 131 break sends O’Sullivan into the second round at the World Snooker Championship.
He was in devastating form today and a close match 90 minutes ago ended in a whimper for Carter.
Incredible stuff.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-4 Ali Carter
16:03 , Mike JonesA thin cut into the middle left pocket gives O’Sullivan the impetus to get enough points on the board to force Carter into needing snookers.
A red to the bottom left drops to move him up to 67 and that’ll be enough to win him the match.
The break goes on and there is a chance of another century here.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-4 Ali Carter
16:01 , Mike JonesRonnie O’Sullivan wastes no time in getting on the board in this 14th frame.
When the cueball is near the bottom of the table and he can play off the black the Rocket has been incredible this afternoon.
He spins into the remaining pack after racking up a break of 45 and the reds split apart.
This should be the end of the match once O’Sullivan tidies up.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-4 Ali Carter
15:54 , Mike Jones
Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-4 Ali Carter
15:52 , Mike JonesOver on the second table during this afternoon session, Wales’ Ryan Day has notched up a 3-1 lead over former world champion Luca Brecel.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-4 Ali Carter
15:37 , Mike JonesThis is wonderful snooker from Ronnie O’Sullivan.
He’s taken the opportunities when they’ve come and realised that Ali Carter isn’t playing well at all.
A break of 123, his second century of the session and third in the match, extends his lead to five frames.
He’s just one away from a place in the second round now and Carter is on the edge of a first round exit.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 8-4 Ali Carter
15:27 , Mike JonesInto the 13th frame and Carter takes on a tough double into the middle right.
He strikes it well but the red doesn’t drop for him. That leaves a slight opening for O’Sullivan who takes it.
The break is only 9 though as a poor position for the blue leaves him without a shot to break open the rest of the reds.
O’Sullivan plays safe. He won’t want to give Carter an inch.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 8-4 Ali Carter
15:22 , Mike JonesO’Sullivan is taking no time at all over each pot here and, bar a couple of tricky left-handed pots down the cushion, he cleans up the table with ease.
That’s a steal of a frame and he moves four ahead having won all three frames this afternoon.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 7-4 Ali Carter
15:19 , Mike JonesCarter’s break ends at 43 after missing a fairly simple black to the bottom left.
There’s a chance for O’Sullivan for get back in the frame and he almost skips up to the table to take it on.
He’s feeling good today.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 7-4 Ali Carter
15:16 , Mike JonesBig moment for Ali Carter who pockets a red after almost 10 minutes of safety play.
He’s in now and there are a few balls he can go after. Since losing the first two frames of the session getting one on the board will keep O’Sullivan honest.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 7-4 Ali Carter
15:10 , Mike JonesThis is unfortunate. Carter has split the reds nicely but hasn’t left a pot on for himself.
He plays safe after a break of 14. He displaces the yellow and there’s a long pot on for Carter he bounces a red out of the bottom left pocket.
O’Sullivan follows up with a red of his own but doesn’t leave himself on a colour.
This is a more tactical frame from both players.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 7-4 Ali Carter
15:06 , Mike JonesNow then. Ali Carter leaves Ronnie O’Sullivan with a long pot to the bottom right and he takes it on.
It’s a bad miss and Carter gets his chance to score for the first time in the session. It’s a long pot of his own which he slips into the top right pocket.
Can he build something here?
Ronnie O'Sullivan 7-4 Ali Carter
15:03 , Mike JonesAmid the skill and flair of Ronnie O’Sullivan there is an incredible brain and, with age, he has become a wiser and less risky player.
A short break of 19 puts him on the board first and he plays safe knowing that Carter will likely make a mistake first. He does and O’Sullivan is in again with a more open table.
There’s a tricky cluster of five reds but he leaves them alone and moves off the black to clean up the loose reds. Before needing to trouble the group he pots a red and black to make Carter needing snookers to get back in the frame.
He won’t have a chance though. This break is building ever higher and O’Sullivan finds his rhythm.
The reds all drop, followed by the baulk colours. O’Sullivan drops the blue into the middle right pocket for a century break which concludes at 117 as the pink and black go in as well.
Two frames down and both have gone to Ronnie O’Sullivan. He’s edging closer to the second round.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-4 Ali Carter
14:55 , Mike JonesO’Sullivan breaks off in frame 11 and leaves the cueball near the top cushion.
The Rocket already looks to be playing better than he was yesterday which could be an ominous sign for Carter even this early in the session.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-4 Ali Carter
14:50 , Mike JonesCarter attempts a long pot to the bottom right pocket but misses. It hasn’t been a good start for him and O’Sullivan will have the opportunity to take this frame now.
Red, pink, red, pink puts him 64 head with 51 left on the table.
He screws back to the bottom of the table with a red then green combo and tidies up the remaining two reds.
The baulk colours are dispatched without issue and O’Sullivan is forced into a long pot on the blue which drops!
The pink lands in the bottom left and the cueball screw up to the middle of the table where the out-of-position black is rolled into the middle left.
Ronnie O’Sullivan takes the tenth frame and moves two ahead in this match.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Ali Carter
14:46 , Mike JonesThe positional errors may cost him but O’Sullivan’s break of 50, without using the pink or black, was a good one.
Ali Carter is on for a red but misses it!
Now it’s time for some safety play and O’Sullivan has the advantage in the frame.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Ali Carter
14:43 , Mike JonesRonnie O’Sullivan gets in first and slowly works up a break of 25 whilst trying to manoeuvre the cueball into a better position down the bottom of the table.
He has to screw the white back up the table on numerous occasions using the baulk colours to transition back towards the reds.
It’s a tough break so far but O’Sullivan is handling it well enough for now.
The break moves up to 35 but he’s overhitting the cueball and isn’t happy with his cueing at present.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Ali Carter
14:36 , Mike JonesAli Carter breaks off for the 10th frame of this match.
Both men will need to play better than they did yesterday but this one is on a knife edge.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Ali Carter
14:25 , Mike JonesThe afternoon session at the Crucible is about to get underway.
Ronnie O’Sullivan hopes to book his place in the second round when he continues his fight with Ali Carter.
Carter won the final two frames of yesterday’s session to move within one frame of the seven time world champion and this afternoon could be a cracking affair if things remain as close as they are.
Ronnie O’Sullivan leads rival Ali Carter on snooker return at the Crucible
14:20 , Mike JonesRonnie O’Sullivan had to settle for a single-frame overnight advantage as the opening session of his World Snooker Championship first-round clash against old foe Ali Carter failed to live up to its pre-match hype.
The seven-time champion, returning to the tour for the first time since dumping his cue after losing a Championship League match in January, looked to have scrapped out a 6-3 lead to take into Wednesday afternoon’s scheduled conclusion.
But Carter dug deep after O’Sullivan jawed a long red to the top corner in the final frame of the day, gradually erasing a 51-point deficit and nervelessly clearing the colours to cut his overnight deficit to 5-4.
Ronnie O’Sullivan leads rival Ali Carter on snooker return at the Crucible
'Sluggish' start to World Championship clash between O'Sullivan and Carter
14:15 , Mike JonesRonnie O'Sullivan also has plenty of work to do as the 'Rocket' was forced to settle for a single-frame overnight advantage after a below-par opening session against old foe Ali Carter.
The seven-time champion, returning to the tour for the first time since dumping his cue after losing a Championship League match in January, looked to have scrapped out a 6-3 lead.
But Carter dug deep after O'Sullivan jawed a long red to the top corner in the final frame of the day, gradually erasing a 51-point deficit and nervelessly clearing the colours to cut his overnight deficit to 5-4.
World Snooker Championship prize fund
14:10 , Mike JonesThe World Championship is the richest prize in snooker with players sharing a total prize fund of £2,395,000. The winner will receive £500,000, with the runner-up pocketing £200,000 and the losing semi-finalists netting £100,000 each.
- Last 112 - £5,000
- Last 80 - £10,000
- Last 48 - £15,000
- Last 32 - £20,000
- Last 16 - £30,000
- Quarter-finalists - £50,000
- Semi-finalists - £100,000
- Runner-up - £200,000
- Winner - £500,000
A bonus of £40,000 is on offer for a maximum break made at the Crucible. That bonus is in addition to the £15,000 highest break prize.
An additional bonus of £147,000 is on offer to any player who makes two maximums across the season's Triple Crown events and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Behind the Black Ball Final and how snooker’s greatest game gripped a nation
13:50 , Mike JonesThe all-conquering Steve Davis, the defending champion and three-time winner, faced off against Dennis Taylor in one of snooker’s greatest finals.
The world’s best snooker player against the unfancied challenge with the upside-down glasses.
A final mismatch however, produced one of the sport’s greatest finals. A record-breaking 18.5m TV viewers stayed up in the early hours of April 29, 1985 to watch the legendary match.
'Where do you start to put it right?'
13:30 , Mike Jones49-year-old Ronnie O’Sullivan believes he is still suffering from a rash attempt to change his playing style, and says he has come to the “scary” realisation that he might never recover the form that has seen him universally acclaimed as the best player in the history of the game.
O’Sullivan said: “I tried a new technique six years ago and I think it’s completely stopped me from playing how I used to, and I don’t know how to get back to somewhere near how I want to play.
“I’m not sure it’s fixable at this stage of my career, but I will give it a couple of years to try and rediscover a way of playing where I feel like I can hit the ball. At the moment it’s pretty scary – the white ball is doing things I’ve never seen it do before.
“I’ve lost that instinctiveness and what I’m seeing when I’m down on the shot is not good. Everyone has days when they lose their timing but when you compound that over a four-year period it’s quite hard – where do you start to put it right?”
Rocket Ronnie expects to remain grounded rather than winning eighth world title
13:10 , Mike JonesRonnie O’Sullivan has painted a bleak picture of his chances of clinching a record-breaking eighth World Snooker Championship title and claims first-round opponent Ali Carter will start as favourite when he gets his 33rd Crucible campaign underway on Tuesday.
O’Sullivan has not played on the World Snooker Tour since he stuffed his cue in a bin after crashing out of the Championship League in January, and after a turbulent time on the practice table he left his participation in doubt until the eve of the tournament.
Rocket Ronnie expects to remain grounded rather than winning eighth world title
'It would be great to see O'Sullivan win an eighth title'
12:30 , Mike JonesKyren Wilson praised Ronnie O’Sullivan for participating in the World Snooker Championships after dealing with some mental health problems and claims his inclusion in the tournament brings attention to the sport.
Wilson said: “It is huge to have Ronnie O'Sullivan back because of the attention he brings to the game.
“It would be great to see him go and win an eighth world title but first and foremost it is just good to see him back competing.”
Mark Allen inspired by recent world champions as he enjoys timely return to form
11:50 , Mike JonesMark Allen is determined to seek inspiration from recent Crucible champions as he looks to end a difficult season on a high by claiming the world snooker title for the first time.
The Antrim 39-year-old has slipped from first to eighth in the standings after failing to go beyond a ranking semi-final this season, but says he is brimming with confidence after completing a 10-6 win over Chinese qualifier Fan Zhengyi.
Mark Allen inspired by recent world champions as he enjoys timely return to form
Shaun Murphy 10-4 Daniel Wells
11:39 , Mike JonesShaun Murphy is through!
There was a little hope of a Daniel Wells comeback this morning as the Welshman performed quite strongly to take two of the four frames but Murphy was equally impressive.
The hard work was done yesterday and he gets over the line and moves into the second round.
A clash with Judd Trump is potentially on the cards for Murphy next but Trump will need to finish off his own first round clash first.
He leads 6-3 overnight and is back at the Crucible this evening.
O'Sullivan's foul-mouthed rant against Carter after 2024 Masters final
10:50 , Luke BakerRonnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter have plenty of history together and, seemingly, a genuine dislike of one another.
After O’Sullivan beat Carter in the final of the 2024 Masters, Carter accused his opponent of “snotting all over the floor” and other inappropriate behaviour. The Rocket then hit back with an extraordinary rant.
“I’m not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on eggshells around someone like that. He’s a f*****g nightmare,” said O’Sullivan of Carter.
“Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare. He’s not a nice person. It’s not a nice vibe he leaves around the table. I’ve said my piece, I don’t give a s***. You know what he’s like, everybody knows what he’s like. He’s got issues. F*****g why has he got issues with me? I’m not having it. I don’t care, grow some balls.
“I don’t give a f***, I don’t give a f*** about any of these snooker players, any of them. The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time. He’s just digging a grave for himself. I don’t give a f***. That’s it, I’ve said my piece.
“He’s got beef with me. He’s got issues, he’s got to sort his life out, he’s got to see a counsellor or something.
“He’s got to deal with that because that’s no good. He’s got to sort it out because I haven’t spoken to him for 20 years. I played with him when he was a kid and shared a lot of stuff with him. For him to come out and try to trash-talk me like that, do you know what? He can have one of them [gesturing a middle finger to the media], he can sit on it as far as I’m concerned.”
O'Sullivan and Carter's history
10:30 , Mike JonesRonnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter have a long-standing rivalry off the table with neither player particularly fond of the other.
On the table it’s been an extremely one-sided affair with O’Sullivan winning 20 of the 21 professional matches they’ve played against each other.
The lone exception came at the 2018 World Championship in a match that became more famous for the players shoulder barging each other at the table and exchanging angry words, forcing the referee to step in. Carter ultimately won that second-round contest 13-9.
O’Sullivan’s victories include the 2008 and 2012 world finals and the Masters final in 2024.
He leads 5-4 in this first round clash, can he claim another victory this afternoon?
Ronnie O’Sullivan: ‘I was scared to go near a snooker table and I’ve lost my bottle’
10:13 , Luke BakerRonnie O’Sullivan has admitted he was scared to approach a snooker table during his break from the game and fears he has lost his bottle, while also acknowledging that he could still pull out of the upcoming World Snooker Championship at short notice.
The World Championship began in Sheffield on Saturday morning, although O’Sullivan’s first-round grudge match against Ali Carter doesn’t start until Tuesday afternoon.
The seven-time world champion hasn’t played in a tournament since snapping his cue in anger and walking out of the Championship League in January. He has pulled out of several events at short notice over the past 12 months, including the Masters at Alexandra Palace, to prioritise his mental health and wellbeing.
Read the full, candid interview with O’Sullivan:
Ronnie O’Sullivan: ‘I was scared to go near a snooker table and I’ve lost my bottle’
Ronnie O'Sullivan in 'uncharted territory'
09:00 , Mike JonesThe six-time world snooker champion, Steve Davis, told BBC Two: “Ronnie will know he does not want to beat himself up too much if he is missing from distance.
“In the past when his long game has been off he has done that but perhaps he knows this is unchartered territory and he will not punish himself mentally for making mistakes and that's a better position to be in.”
'Ali had the bit between his teeth'
08:40 , Mike JonesThe 2024 world snooker champion, Kyren Wilson - who was beaten in the first round at this tournament - spoke about Ali Carter’s determined outlook.
He said: “Ali seemed to have the bit between his teeth. That will feel massive going in at 5-4 rather than 6-3 [down]. There have been positives from both guys that they can take into Wednesday's session.
“There was so much built up expectation with Ali coming in as a qualifier and Ronnie coming in as an unknown this year which is so strange. I'm sure Ronnie will go away and be happy with a one-frame lead.”
