TNT Sports
Ronnie O'Sullivan names his tips for the World Snooker Championship title at The Crucible - 'The two best players in the world'
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Published 19/04/2025 at 21:26 GMT+1
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Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to return to competitive snooker this Tuesday, when 'The Rocket' faces Ali Carter in the first round of the World Championship at The Crucible, Sheffield. Speaking to TNT Sports, O'Sullivan picked two players as his favourites for the tournament, but noted that a third tip could also pose a threat for the biggest prize in the sport.
O’Sullivan, White and McManus give World Championship predictions
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O’Sullivan has named the "two best players in the world" who are - in his mind - the favourites for the World Snooker Championship at The Crucible.
O’Sullivan will make his return to the sport for the first time since January after missing a number of tournaments due to medical reasons, with his first match at The Crucible against Ali Carter on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Despite that time away, O’Sullivan is ranked as the fourth favourite by some bookmakers, with defending champion Kyren Wilson, Mark Selby, and world No. 1 Judd Trump ahead of him, in that order.
One surprise name with relatively short odds is Zhao Xintong, whose exciting recent form has seen him climb the list of possible winners.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Alan McManus suggested that the Chinese player might struggle because of the experience players need before they can make a fist at the worlds.
He said: "It seems to me that you need lots of experience to win this thing.
"Ronnie himself, it took him nine years to win it. John Higgins, it took him only seven, but that's quick style. It took Stuart Bingham 20 years to win this thing.
"I don't think you're going to rock up, even Xintong. Yes he's been around the block quite a bit, but he's been off the tour for two or three seasons now. It would be a big ask."
O’Sullivan agreed, saying that players need to know the game well before they can cope with the particular demands that come in Sheffield.
He explained: "I agree with Alan, it's a really different tournament. Sometimes you need a bit of experience just to know how things can ebb and flow a lot. So sometimes you can feel like you're out of a match but it can quickly turn around . Only experience gives you that knowledge. I was a little surprised that he was up there as high as he was [on the odds].
"For me, someone like Shaun Murphy who's played great all season, plays well at the Crucible, is a very good bottle player. I know he's with me and Judd [in the draw] so maybe that's why his odds were quite big. But if he gets past Judd, he's a strong contender."
Jimmy White suggested Xintong would not be a shock winner, and even compared some of his strengths to those of O’Sullivan.
"With Xintong, that Q tour, he won that so easily," he began. "He was miles ahead. Loads of 147s, 140s. He went through qualifying. [The match against] Elliott Slessor, they both had three centuries. Elliott played really well. But Xintong has those extra gears.
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O'Sullivan expects 'tough match' against Carter
Video credit: TNT Sports
"For me, he's one of the best ball-strikers I've ever seen. He can win four or five frames in a row, no problem at all. Ronnie at his best, that's what he would do all the time. He would go on one and win three or four.
"Xintong, OK it takes a lot to win the world snooker championship. You need a bit of experience, but no one sitting here would be surprised if he did win it. Because he is that good. He is that good a scorer."
Turning to Judd Trump, McManus said that the veteran’s mentality sets him apart from younger challengers like Xintong.
He said: "He had a brilliant first half of the season. Talking about Xintong, there are three huge elements. You need the physicality, you need the game, and you need the mentality above everything.
"They've all got the talent, everyone here, but if you don't have the mentality... Judd's a winner.
"He bases everything about winning, not potting long reds, that takes care of itself. He's a winner, and people like Xintong haven't proven it at the top level yet, consistently. Judd has, and that's why he's a massive threat at this year's world championship."
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Making his winner predictions, O’Sullivan came to his two favourites.
He said: "Obviously you’d have to make Kyren and Judd - the two best players in the world - ahead of everybody else.
"I think Selby has played good all season, I think he plays well here at the Crucible. I think he'll be a match for anybody. Sometimes certain players match up differently. I think Selby's only difficult opponent would be Judd Trump."
Perhaps unsurprisingly, O’Sullivan’s close friend White initially suggested that much would depend on his form before he would consider anyone else for the title.
He added: "First we need to see how the Rocket is playing, and we’ll find out from there.
"John Higgins, form's back since winning in China. Judd Trump, at the start of the season, played some unbelievable stuff. He took Kyren Wilson, and beat him in three or four finals.
"Kyren Wilson has looked very solid today. He looks back on it. Selby is back to form. The big hitters will always be there.
"For an outsider, I like Xintong. If he plays Kyren Wilson, if he gets through, obviously he's got a chance, but Wilson will have a lot to say about that."
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Lastly, McManus also put forward Murphy as a candidate who might bring some extra motivation after recent defeats, and also included John Higgins as another outstanding contender.
He concluded: "Shaun Murphy for me, this year. He’s had some good form, he’s had a couple of frighteners recently, 6-1, 6-0 and 10-1 against players on the tour, so he's got a bit to prove, which is no bad thing actually.
"John Higgins has had a brilliant season, I think he's playing the best of anybody at the moment. Mark Selby, hit him with the biggest kitchen sink imaginable, at the Tour Championship final, seven frames in a row. Higgins just sat back, 'Alright, pal, I've got this.’ John's missing nothing at the moment, and that's why John's going to be a huge threat."
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