World Snooker Championship 2025: Neil Robertson loses to Chris Wakelin after fightback as Hossein Vafaei beats Barry Hawkins, Mark Williams wins
Updated 20/04/2025 at 23:32 GMT+1
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The World Snooker Championship continues after the shock 10-9 exit of defending champion Kyren Wilson to Lei Peifan on day one, other leading names will be hoping to avoid a similar fate. Mark Allen leads Fan Zhengyi 5-4, while Mark Williams edged a 10-8 victory in his first-round battle against Wu Yize. Neil Robertson battled back against Chris Wakelin from 7-2 behind before losing 10-8.
Wakelin wraps up win after Robertson error
Video credit: TNT Sports
Chris Wakelin managed to hold off a spirited Neil Robertson comeback as he claimed his first win at the Crucible with a 10-8 victory over the former world champion on Sunday.
Resuming 7-2 behind from the first session on Saturday afternoon, 2010 winner Robertson won the first five frames of the night, boosted by knocks of 117, 69 and 53, to level the match at 7-7 with his opponent clearly suffering from nerves.
But Wakelin steeled himself superbly to claim three of the final four frames with breaks of 90 and 56 helping him scramble over the winning line.
Wakelin's reward is a meeting with Mark Allen or Fan Zhengyi in the last 16.
Allen leads Fan 5-4 before they play to a finish on Monday afternoon at 14:30.
On the other main table, Iranian showman Hossein Vafaei edged out Barry Hawkins 10-9 after trailing 5-4 in the first session.
Vafaei produced superb knocks of 104, 107 and 110 before winning the final two frames, closing with a 73 to edge the 2013 finalist, who made an 87 and 106 of his own.
He will meet Mark Williams in the last 16 following the Welshman's 10-8 win over Wu Yize earlier on Sunday.
Result: Robertson 8-10 Wakelin
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (28-69)
Fabulous long red by Chris and in goes black. But he misses red along the top cush. Played the red at pace. Not sure that was right shot choice. But Neil misses the cut on a red with the rest. And that is surely the end of the story tonight. Neil Robertson is heading out here. And there is the handshake. Robertson joins Kyren Wilson and Barry Hawkins on the sidelines.
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (28-52)
Great escape from Chris after Neil left him in a tough snooker. This match coming down to nerves as much as ability. The Wakelin lead reduced to 24. Could easily have finished off this match by now.
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (27-52)
Wakelin sees white drop down a hole after playing white off another red to pot red over a top bag. Down to final three reds now. Wakelin then goes in off playing safe off a red. And misses the reds before leaving a free ball. All happening out there.
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (16-48)
Red along the top cushion from Robertson stays out, and that could be his final shot in this year's event. Chance for Chris to wrap it up. But he ends up out of position with black back on spot. A big error. Can't see the easy red. And a red to left middle doesn't drop. What a reprieve for Neil.
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (8-40)
Would you believe it. Wakelin screws the white into a centre pocket off potting a red and Robertson drops in the plant on two reds. Counter attack is on here.
Result: Hawkins 9-10 Vafaei
Vafaei wins the final two frames. Closes with a 73 break to win 10-9 and book a match with Mark Williams in the last 16.
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (0-35)
Excellent shot by Chris to bring the white in and out of baulk and back down for the reds. Very, very nice. Inching towards his first victory at the Crucible here.
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (0-25)
Chris in and out of baulk from blue. In goes a mid-range red to continue the break. Back down for the yellow. Chris searching for a plant out there. Which would help the situation.
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (0-12)
Chris finding a bit of form from 7-7. Had no option really after struggling early on. Lovely pot on a pink to right centre. That will do his confidence no harm at all. Suddenly chance to build a healthy lead emerges for Wakelin.
Robertson 8-9 Wakelin (0-1)
First chance of the frame falls to Chris after he pokes home a long red. Out for the green.
Hawkins 9-9 Vafaei
What a battle on the other table. 106 in the 17th frame from Hawkins, but Vafaei forces the decider by edging the 18th frame.
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (40-91)
Neil breaks down on final red as red stays out and hangs over a top bag. Chris puts away red and black. Heading into a 9-8 lead in this tense Sunday night finale.
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (33-74)
Stunning shots from Robbo to keep this break going with reds and blacks. Unbelievable stuff. Knocking reds off cushions with no margin for error.
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (16-74)
Another nine points are added to the Wakelin total. That snooker could be a frame-winner. Neil hits red, but is 66 points adrift with 67 left up. Robbo then bangs in a brilliant long red in response. But still long odds on hitting back here.
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (8-65)
Brilliant snooker by Chris behind black. Neil can't hit the red, and Chris decides to put him back rather than attempt a tricky red to left centre. Then Robbo clips the blue for another five points.
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (8-56)
In goes blue to leave a mid-range red. Nicely slotted and he holds for black too. Black is canned, but no position on the red. End of break on 56. A lead of 48 points with 67 remaining on deck. Goes for double on red, but just fails to drop.
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (8-36)
Not a bad split on reds by Chris. Lands on one down a side rail. And in goes red. Across nicely for the pink. Chance then to move one up with a possible two to play.
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (8-19)
Chance was there for Neil. Not taken, and Chris presented with a very decent opportunity to make some solid progress.
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (8-9)
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'Put body and soul into that' - Robertson powers in blue and goes up and down table to land on red
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (8-0)
Robbo with first punch at the balls in this 17th frame, but he misses a red digging down on the white. Didn't expect that not to drop. Bad miss, but how costly will it prove to be?
Robertson 8-8 Wakelin (0-0)
Down to a best-of-three frame battle for a place in the last 16. This match is wide open now.
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (68-32)
Excellent clip on a long red by Neil, and he lands nicely on black to right middle. In goes black, followed by yellow and green. Then the brown. And that will do the job for Robbo. Match is level again at 8-8.
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (51-32)
This is all very taut. Final red still safe, and all the colours are off their spots. Table favours Neil here, but that can quickly change.
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (51-32)
Neil misses red off two cushions, and has to be put back behind the pink. Hits the red the second time. Wakelin goes for the long red. Doesn't drop, but leaves red safe.
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Two for the price of one - Wakelin pots two reds with one shot
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (51-28)
Frame still a live issue then heading for the final red. Wakelin flicks the red in baulk and ends up getting a brilliant snooker behind the pink.
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (44-28)
This would be a massive steal if Chris can pull this frame out of the fire. Neil had first go at the balls, but broke down on 44. And Chris breaks down on 28 as black off the spot stays out. What a blunder.
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (44-19)
Brilliant pot on a cutback black by Chris to keep the break going here. Looking to fight his way back into the frame.
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (44-5)
Neil loses the white on 44. Doesn't land on a colour and ends up knocking in a red after missing tough green by some margin.
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (20-0)
Robbo with a thumping pot on blue after a brilliant long red to drag the white around the angles for the next red. Opens up reds off the black, and he has a chance to level up this contest here. What are the odds on this heading for 9-9?
Robertson 7-8 Wakelin (0-0)
Robertson 7-7 Wakelin (0-90)
A one-visit hit of 90 from Chris to move 8-7 ahead of Neil. A timely break to halt the bleeding in this match. Highest break of 22 in the five frames he lost this evening. Which sums up his struggles.
Robertson 7-7 Wakelin (0-84)
This match continues to be fascinating. Chris will be feeling positive after this break. More like he was striking it yesterday.
Robertson 7-7 Wakelin (0-70)
Two reds disappear into opposite middle pockets. That isn't the worse. Chris on the cusp of restoring his lead at 8-7. In goes tricky red to right middle, and pink is drained to left centre. Heading back into the lead at 8-7.
Robertson 7-7 Wakelin (0-46)
Big, big chance for Chris to make a heavy contribution at this visit. All about keeping the white ball under tight control. And holding his nerve too.
Hawkins 8-7 Vafaei
Vafaei not giving up the fight on the other table as he dominates the 15th frame to close back to within one frame.
Robertson 7-7 Wakelin (0-14)
Another safety error by Robertson presents Chris with his latest scoring chance. Really vital that he steels himself here after losing five straight frames. Trying to make life as easy as possible for himself among balls.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (73-32)
White goes in off as Neil escapes from a snooker. Would you believe it. Suddenly Wakelin can win this frame. The drama of the Crucible. But Neil slots the long red with a swerve shot around the black. In goes the black, and this match is level at 7-7.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (65-28)
Chris requiring a snooker otherwise this match will be level at 7-7. Still 35 left up as Chris knocks white in behind brown and blue.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (59-28)
Neil feeding off the Chris errors at the moment. Looks like this match is heading back to 7-7. Not easy to get frame won, but he releases a red tied up next to black. Could be a frame-winner.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (30-28)
Chris continues to struggle in the heat of the occasion. But Robertson can't punish as long red doesn't drop. Another chance presents itself to Wakelin, who then can't slot a red to the green pocket. That is a bad miss. Chris really struggling with his technique.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (30-28)
Not an easy table to attack, but Robertson looking to overhaul the Wakelin lead in the 14th frame. Neil heads into reds off blue, but can't get the pack opened up. Just safety to follow.
Hawkins 8-6 Vafaei
Barry within two frames of a meeting with Mark Williams in the last 16. 87 in the 13th frame and he also claims the 14th frame to open up a slight gap.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (9-28)
But a cut on a mid-range red fails to trouble the pocket as another chance comes and goes.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (8-22)
Another huge frame in progress out there. But a blunder by Neil trying to unearth a safety shot. And he sticks up a red for Chris to right centre.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (1-22)
Chris faced with a tough red along the top cushion, but can't make the pot. And suddenly Neil returns to the table. Been story of the night so far for Wakelin.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (0-15)
Chris with his latest chance to accumulate some points. Not been much coming off his cue so far tonight to trouble the scorers.
Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (0-0)
Off we go then with the final few frames of this engrossing battle. Wakelin chasing three frames, Robertson four. Chris trying to stem the tide.
Latest: Robertson 6-7 Wakelin (0-0)
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White and O'Sullivan lavish praise on 'magical' Zhao
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Robertson 5-7 Wakelin (78-19)
Quality stuff for Robbo. Chris has struggled, but Neil right back in the mix. 7-2 is suddenly 7-6.
Robertson 5-7 Wakelin (65-19)
Robbo with a long cut on a red after a poor safety shot by Chris. Bangs in yellow to right centre. And in goes red he requires. Robbo right back in the ball game now.
Robertson 5-7 Wakelin (53-19)
Tough red along the top cushion, and is doesn't drop. Frame-winning chance not taken by Robbo. Back to his chair.
Robertson 5-7 Wakelin (38-19)
Probably a good time for Chris to have a break the way this is going. Halt the Robbo flow. At the moment, this match is racing away from him and Neil is growing in confidence.
Robertson 5-7 Wakelin (29-19)
Robbo into the lead then in the frame he requires to get this back to within one frame.
Robertson 5-7 Wakelin (15-19)
This a golden chance here for Neil to weigh in with another big break and close to one frame behind at the mid-session break. Amazing what the Crucible nerves can do to a player. Chris wasn't slipping up yesterday.
Robertson 5-7 Wakelin (0-19)
Big visit to the table for Wakelin here, but he misses a pink off the spot after splashing open the reds off the brown. That is a bad miss.
Hawkins 7-6 Vafaei
Hawkins nudges himself a frame clear of Vafaei on the other main table as they head for the mid-session interval.
Robertson 5-7 Wakelin (0-0)
Wakelin has done nothing in the first three frames of the night, but that can quickly alter. One more frame to come before the mid-session interval.
Robertson 4-7 Wakelin (84-14)
Chris just can't get anything going tonight. Neil right back in the fight out there. Robbo in the mood to score. Pressure mounting. A rapid knock of 69 and the Melbourne man is back to 7-5 behind.
Robertson 4-7 Wakelin (46-14)
Neil with a superb straight pot on a red. Excellent stun shot to hold for the black. Robbo growing in confidence out there. Chance to close to two frames behind here.
Robertson 4-7 Wakelin (16-14)
Another error by Chris as he can't dribble in a red at the business end of the table. Sticks in the jaws. Robertson not being punished.
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Robertson opens up evening session with his 87th Crucible century
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hawkins 6-6 Vafaei
Vafaei with breaks of 104 and 107 as he levels up with Hawkins at 6-6 on the other showpiece table.
Robertson 4-7 Wakelin (15-1)
12th frame of the match is up and running then. Neil breaks off. Robbo carts home a long red. Into the pack off black before canning a brilliant red to the left middle. Looking to maintain his momentum here. But he misses tough blue to right middle. Chance for Chris to score.
Robertson 3-7 Wakelin (67-33)
Well now. Robertson well and truly on the march here. Back to 7-4 behind in the race to 10 frames. Chris stuck up a red over a right middle. And Neil polished up the balls he needed. Not quite game on. But next two frames are huge.
Robertson 3-7 Wakelin (50-27)
No winning thrust as a tough cut on a red with the rest fails to drop. Wakelin drops in red and black before playing safe. Coming down to a safety joust on the final red.
Robertson 3-7 Wakelin (33-19)
Another corking long red by Robbo gives him the chance to build a lead as he bids to claim a second straight frame. Huge moments in this match for him. Which tends to be the case when you lose the first session 7-2.
Robertson 3-7 Wakelin (15-19)
Dreadful blunder by Neil with a safety shot as he sticks up a red over a top bag via another red. But no damage done with Chris quickly out of position. Just the safety to follow from him. All a bit tense out there.
Robertson 3-7 Wakelin (15-12)
No big kill this time for Robbo as Chris returns to the table. Looking to get hand on table to compile a few points. But a tricky cut on a red is well off the potting angle. Just the 11.
Hawkins 6-4 Vafaei
Dominant 10th frame of the night falls to Barry, who moves two clear of the 'Prince of Persia' on the other main table.
Robertson 3-7 Wakelin (6-1)
Chris misses the yellow across the baize after slotting a red. Bit of an edgy one perhaps. Still settling down out there. Didn't get a shot in first frame.
Robertson 3-7 Wakelin (0-0)
Robertson looking for seven more frames, Wakelin two. Vital that Robbo keeps up the momentum after putting away that frame in the blink of an eye.
Robertson 2-7 Wakelin (117-0)
Robbo back to 7-3 behind. Needs a quick start. 11-minute frame by Robbo finalised in style.
Robertson 2-7 Wakelin (105-0)
What a stunning shot on the final red by Neil to yellow pocket. In goes the blue, and that is an immaculate ton from the Aussie great. Brilliant from Robbo.
Robertson 2-7 Wakelin (71-0)
Wakelin doing nothing wrong. Yet is going to ship this opening frame of the night. Chris has to just digest this Robbo run. Patience the key for him this evening.
Robertson 2-7 Wakelin (44-0)
Neil looking to make a fast start this evening. And this looks very much like a fast start. At least to this frame. Would love to get this frame won in one hit. Sends out a message.
Robertson 2-7 Wakelin (20-0)
Robbo with a cracking red to get his evening started. What a lovely long red by the 2010 world champion.
Robertson 2-7 Wakelin (0-0)
Almost ready to go with the resumption of the second session of this first-round match. A full house inside the Crucible for this Super Sunday night in Sheffield. Three-time world champion Mark Williams with a thrilling 10-8 victory over Wu Yize from 8-7 behind.
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'I am still struggling' - Williams booked in for eye surgery after World Championship
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Evening session to come
Neil Robertson returns with a mountain to climb, as he trails Chris Wakelin 7-2, while Barry Hawkins leads Hossein Vafaei 5-4.
The action gets underway at 7pm UK time, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - along with our live blog right here.
Williams uses experience to overcome Wu, Allen leads
Mark Williams used every bit of his experience to take a 10-8 victory against China’s Wu Yize to progress into the second round.
The three-time world champion came into the afternoon session with a 5-4 lead and was required to leave everything on the Crucible table to go through.
Wu showed his potting ability to lead 8-7 and was just two points away from extending his advantage as their tie neared its conclusion.
However, Williams rallied to pull level and then snatched victory with breaks of 65 and 67 to progress.
On the other table Mark Allen battled back after losing the opening three frames to take a 5-4 lead against Fan Zhengyi, heading into the second session on Monday.
After going three frames behind Allen responded with a century before pulling level with 63 and 84 breaks.
Fan won a tight seventh frame before Allen finished the session with his second century of the session, followed by a 72 break to take a slender advantage into the concluding session.
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'What a performance' - Williams makes nerveless 75 to secure win over Wu
Video credit: TNT Sports
Williams 9-8 Wu (75-1)
The Welshman is in imperious potting form as he fires a red in from across the table and he has a pick of reds open.
A ruthless potting display by Williams sees him build a substantial score by potting reds and then the black.
Williams eventually misses one, Wu is unable to clean up the remaining balls and the Welshman progresses 10-8.
Williams 8-8 Wu (66-0)
With this match evenly balanced both players give little away early in the 17th frame, it’s seven minutes before Williams pots the first ball.
The Welsh Potting Machine has momentum and luck on his side as his break continues.
With a break of 48 the veteran ends up using the rest and going over the pack of reds to sink a red and maintaining his break.
Williams misses a red following a break of 58, but Wu fails to make the difficult shot. The Welshman secures enough points to seal the frame and to regain his slender lead.
Williams is one frame away from progressing into the second round.
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'Could have done himself a mischief' - Williams pots red with spider from awkward position
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Allen 5-4 Fan
From 3-0 down midway through this session Allen has completed a fight comeback to lead 5-4 heading into their concluding session tomorrow afternoon.
Allen completes the session with a break of 72 without reply.
Williams 7-8 Wu (69-61)
Wu makes no mistake as he methodically cleans up the table and takes the lead away from Williams.
The youngster plays a handy shot on the blue which helps to open up an awkward red as he continues his charge.
However, after building a break of 61 a miss-hit, while using the rest, allows Williams a chance back at the table.
The Welshman responds with a couple of clever tactical shots and then a long pot to put himself in control and he seals the frame.
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'Impervious to pressure' - Williams pots brilliant red and pulls off clearance to snatch 16th frame
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Allen 4-4 Fan
Allan has an early break of 17 before making an unforced error on the black which allows his opponent to the table.
Despite Fan pulling back 18 points it is Allan who regains momentum finishing 106-18 to level the game.
Williams 7-8 Wu (37-12*)
Williams comes out fighting after going behind heading into the 16th frame with the veteran potting a long red.
A smart hit onto the black helps to open the early pack of reds up. However, Williams shows a grimace after playing two reds against each other, with one clipping the pocket and coming out to end a break of 37.
The balls are now open and in play and Wu has shown his potting ability already in this match.
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Williams lays devilish snooker to put Wu in trouble - 'shot and a half'
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Williams 7-7 Wu (49-71)
Some great potting skills early in this 15th frame by Wu who slams the blue down and the cue-ball into the pink which separates the reds.
Following a break of 42 Wu miss-hits the cue-ball and then sees his attempt at a double miss.
Williams responds with an excellent shot across the table showing every year of his experience.
After building a break of 44 the Welshman misses a green to leave the frame finely balanced with just two points separating them.
However, it is Williams who makes a mistake with a safety shot allowing Wu to take the frame away from him.
The Welshman failed to find a snooker late on to deny Wu the frame.
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Williams 'chuntering' in his seat after Wu pots 'sensational' long red off his break
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Allen 3-4 Fan
Fan looked to stop the rot after losing three consecutive frames with a break of 33. Allen then fails to capitalise on a missed red and Fan stretches his advantage to 57.
The Chinese star completes the frame 30-64 to regain the lead.
Allen 3-3 Fan
Allen built a break of 59 before going for a powerful shot across the table which cannoned of the jaws of the pocket.
Eventually the two-time semi-finalist returns to the table and wins the frame. He is now level in this match
Williams 7-6 Wu (1-91)
An early missed red by Williams gives his opponent a chance to build an early break of eight as little separates these players.
Wu shows his attacking flair to rebuild his score with a long-range shot and adds to his score, while the reds are spread across the bottom half of the table.
However, a missed red while stretching across the table ends a break of 57 and allows Williams back to the table.
Williams shows some nerves as he misses a pink after potting just one red. That miss allows Wu to clean up enough balls to secure the frame.
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Wu finds 'spectacular plant' against Williams
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Allen 2-3 Fan
A close fourth frame which swung in both direction is eventually grabbed by Allen with a daring long pot from a tight angle which he sinks.
The Northern Irishman cleans up the resulting colours and fends off an attempted snooker to win the frame 63-43.
Williams 6-6 Wu (70-30)
Once again Williams uses all of his experience to pick potting opportunities. It was not always the cleanest potting and a clip off the black puts him in trouble of ending the break of 54.
Looking calm Williams pots a red off the cushion to continue his break. Following a break of 69 a miss-cue results in Williams handing his opponent a slime chance of getting back into the frame with a snooker.
The Welshman shows his experience to get out of several snookers and Wu continues to test him.
Williams is eventually given an opportunity to sink an extra red to confirm the frame and a 7-6 lead heading into the break.
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'That's fantastic' - Williams pulls off glorious double against Wu
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Williams 6-6 Wu (0*-22)
Welshman Williams is showing his opponent full respect as he plays the break to the back of the pack.
After playing several defensive shots Williams eventually leaves one open for Wu which he pots to open the scoring.
After making a break of 22 the Chinese youngster makes a mistake by clipping two reds and allows Williams an opportunity.
Allen 1-3 Fan
Allen has replied with a century break to win his first frame heading into the break.
Williams 6-5 Wu (28-93)
Williams looked in control of the early stages starting a break before a shot on the brown put him into a difficult position and Wu capitalised.
After making a break of 24 the youngster made a difficult shot off the cushion. He then takes a risk to spread the reds but sees the cue-ball surrounded ending his break on 34.
Williams is unable to add to his total from the back of the table and Wu regains control through his favoured red and blue combination.
Just as Williams looks out of the frame he replies with 28 before looking for a snooker at the back of the table.
However, the snooker is missed and Wu is able to clear up the remaining balls.
Allen 0-3 Fan
The Northern Irishman looked to be responding to going 2-0 down after making a break of 38. However, after allowing his opponent back to the table Fan hit a century break to go 3-0 ahead.
Williams 5-5 Wu (109-8)
With the game finely in the balance there is a nervous start to this 11th frame with both competitors showing their opponent respect.
Williams eventually pots from an acute angle before putting Wu in a tight position.
The veteran Welsh player forces a mistake from his opponent on the pink and then capitalises to build his score.
The experience of Williams has shown in this frame as he capitalised on a Wu miss to regain the lead in this frame with a century break.
Allen 0-2 Fan
Fan builds on his advantage from the first frame as Allen is punished for failing to take his early chances and the qualifier hits a break of 98 to go 2-0 ahead.
Williams 5-5 Wu (14*-8)
With the game finely in the balance there is a nervous start to this 11th frame with both competitors showing their opponent respect.
Williams eventually pots from an acute angle before putting Wu in a tight position.
The veteran Welsh player forces a mistake from his opponent and then capitalises to build his score.
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‘That is criminal’ - Wu pots red but sees green drop as well to halt break
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Williams 5-4 Wu (9-68)
Wu shows his long potting skills as he fires across the table to start his second considerable break of this frame.
The World No.21 uses the red and blue combination to race away in this 10th frame and draws himself level 5-5 in this match.
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‘So dangerous from distance’ - Wu crunches in long red against Williams
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Allen 0-1 Fan
Qualifier Fan got off to a quick start with a 61 break and despite allowing Allen back to the table the Chinese player wins the frame at the second time of asking.
Williams 5-4 Wu (9-30)
Wu starts the session perfectly with a long pot onto a red before following onto a colour to begin a break.
After making 30 a hard shot across the table is over-hit by Wu and allows Williams to the table. However, a misjudged shot by the Welsh wizard results in a safety shot after making five.
Wu attempts the safety shot but can only pot the cue-ball after it flies back off the bottom cushion.
The pair are then enthralled in a tactical battle with neither player wanting to back down as the cue ball is sandwiched between two reds
Williams saw Wu strike back in opening session
Three-time champion Mark Williams comes into this session 5-4 clear of Wu Yize despite watching his opponent produce 466 unanswered points in recovering from 3-0 behind to lead 4-3.
Knocks of 57 and 52 helped Williams start strongly before Wu rolled in breaks of 120, 90, 72 and 136 to edge ahead with Williams finishing with a 70 on his way to ending the session ahead before they conclude on Sunday afternoon.
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Wu dazzles with ‘Judd Trump special’ during stunning century against Williams
Video credit: TNT Sports
Afternoon session
Today's afternoon session gets underway at 2.30pm.
Mark Williams lead 5-4 against Wu Yize in a match which will be played to its conclusion in this session.
Meanwhile, Mark Allen opens his tournament against Fan Zhengyi
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XIAO AND ZHAO IMPRESS IN MORNING SESSION
Chinese players Xiao Guodong and Zhao Xintong impressed in the opening session of the World Snooker Championship second day.
Xiao booked his spot in the second round after withstanding an early fightback from Matthew Selt to eventually progress 10-4.
Coming into the morning session 7-2 behind, in the best of 19 frames tie, Selt gave himself a chance by winning the opening two frames of the session.
However, he was left rueing missed opportunities as Xiao had enough to progress.
Meanwhile, qualifier Zhao had a session to remember as he built a formidable 7-2 lead into tomorrow’s session.
Zhao has re-gained his World Tour spot for next season, but had to come through four qualifying matches to reach the first round.
The 28-year-old was in fine form as he built a sizeable lead over last year’s finalist Jak Jones.
Today's schedule
(All UK times)
10:00
Jak Jones 2-7 Zhao Xintong
Xiao Guodong 10-4 Matthew Selt
14:30
Mark Allen v Fan Zhengyi
Mark Williams 5-4 Wu Yize
19:00
Neil Robertson v Chris Wakelin
Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei
Jones 1-7 Zhao (70-14)
The session has been an absolute nightmare for Jones who misses an early shot in the final frame of the session.
In comparison Zhao had looked formidable before seeing his red come off the pocket with the reds split.
Despite looking rusty Jones settled himself into the frame and built an unassailable break of 70 to pull a frame back heading into tomorrow’s final.
However, a missed red by Jones allowed Zhao the opportunity to attempt a snooker before conceding the frame.
Zhao leads 7-2 into tomorrow's final session of this match.
Jones 1-6 Zhao (1-115)
An unforgiving display by Zhao as he sinks an early red across the table in the eighth frame.
Not deterred by a tight pack the Chinese player blasts in a blue and the cue-ball into the reds to create further opportunities.
Zhao looked to be heading towards another frame, before missing a red following a break of 61.
Jones pots a red in reply before missing the subsequent pink off which rattles the jaws of the pocket.
Zhao picks up where he left off to seal the frame.
Xiao 10-4 Selt
Selt put up a fight in the final frame with it finely balanced at 26-26 at one point.
However, Xiao marches into a 78-26 lead before Selt returns to the table, with the Englishman needing a snooker to keep his place in the tournament.
Selt is unable to save the match and Xiao progresses.
Jones 1-5 Zhao (1-76)
Jones pots an early red and is then forced into a safety shot early in the frame. The Welshman blasts the cue-ball into the pack of reds, but none of them find a pocket.
Zhao is in an unforgiving mood as he sinks a difficult pot across the table and then builds another impressive break.
The 28-year-old converts a break of 76 as he clinches a sixth from seven frames.
Jones 1-4 Zhao (25-70)
After a shot period of tactical play it is Zhao who prevails and plays a nice shot onto the blue across the table, which the cue-ball to open the pack of reds.
The Chinese qualifier again punishes his opponent for the miss earlier in the frame and builds and quickly builds a break of 70.
Jones opts not to return to the table when he needed a snooker to recover the frame.
Jones 1-4 Zhao (25-0)
After an impressive break in the previous frame by Zhao a miss-pot on a red in the sixth frame allows Jones to open the scoring.
Jones builds a break of 12 before then plays a difficult shot onto the black to keep control of the frame.
However, moments later Jones plays himself into trouble and on a break of 25 allows Zhao back with a safety shot.
Jones 1-3 Zhao (1-142)
Jones tries a difficult pot on a red early in the frame which hits the jaws of the pocket and stays out.
Zhao capitalises to sink the red and then builds a break of 31. The qualifier then plays a powerful shot on the black with blasts the cue-ball into the pack of reds to open them up nicely for him.
An impressive display of quick snooker by Zhao quickly wraps up the frame and his first century of the match.
Everything is falling for Zhao as he plays a red across the top cushion and in at the bottom pocket. He finishes with a break of 142.
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'This has been delightful' - Zhao hits 142 break to establish three-frame cushion
Video credit: TNT Sports
Xiao 9-4 Selt
After being given a scare earlier in this session Xiao is in a determined mood to progress into the second round from this position.
With a 91% pot success rate Xiao makes it look simple as he builds a break of 62 in the 12th frame.
However, the run onto a red is difficult and he is forced into a safety shot which allows Selt back to the table.
Xiao is not to be denied as he returns to the table to wrap up the frame.
Xiao 8-4 Selt
Xiao looked on his way to winning the frame and moving closer to the next round.
However, after building a 53-point lead the Chinese player then potted the cue ball and opened up the opportunity for Selt.
The Englishman is unable to capitalise and after building a break of 41 he misses a shot and Xiao wraps up the frame.
Jones 1-2 Zhao (1-91)
Jones opens the fourth frame, but his rifled shot on the following black sees the ball leave the table and roll across the top of the cushion and back on.
After being left to watch the majority of the previous frame, Zhao capitalises on the mistake and picks off some early reds and black to build an early lead.
The Chinese amateur then plays a powerful blue which sees the cue ball break the pack of reds.
An impressive following shot opened up the reds further and saw Zhao run away with the frame with a break of 91.
Zhao misses a relatively simple black to rob him of the century opportunity.
Jones 0-2 Zhao (99-6)
Zhao starts where he left off in the second frame to open the third with an opening break of six. The Chinese player broke the pack only for opponent Jones to capitalise.
Last year’s finalist takes the invitation and racks up a sizeable break. However, he is tested with a straight shot onto the pink and then the following red.
Despite facing a difficult pack of reds Jones is able to keep control with a determined frame to open his account for the tournament.
Jones finishes a single point short of a century break.
Xiao 7-4 Selt
Xiao looked to have the frame won after building an opening break of 48. However, after pulling the previous frame back Selt is not going to concede this match and pulled himself back further with an impressive break of 83.
Jones 0-1 Zhao (21-90)
Zhao punishes his opponent for the missed opportunity as he slowly works his way around the table picking off reds.
However, a difficult red resting against the cushion forces Zhao to use the rest and the ball comes out off the jaws of the cushion.
Jones replies but then misses a difficult red across the table. Zhao makes a mistake of his own by overhitting a red when the frame looked to be his to win.
The Welshman is the first to faulter in tactical exchanges and Zhao makes no mistake on his return to the table to wrap up the second frame.
Jones 0-1 Zhao (21-7*)
Some lovely snooker early in this second frame from Jones who pulls off a fine shot to pot the pink into the middle pocket to keep his early break alive.
However, after building a break of 21 last year’s finalist then misses a relatively simple pink into the bottom pocket.
Xiao 7-3 Selt (22-75)
Selt pulls a frame back in the other match after his opening break of 54 was too much for his opponent to pull back. Despite Xiao pulling 22 points back, a mistake allowed Selt back to the table to wrap up the frame.
Jones 0-0 Zhao (1-121)
Zhao finds a red before seeing a blue hit the jaws of two pockets before going in the opposite side of the table.
However, he fails to pot with the following shot onto a red. In response Jones opens his account with a red before the following blue stays out the jaws of the far pocket.
The miss allows Zhao back to the table and the qualifier makes no mistake to take the opening frame with an 84 clearance.
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'The snooker gods already looking on him!' - Zhao lucks out with 'incredible' fluke
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jones 0-0 Zhao (0-38)
The pair will play nine frames in this morning session after qualifier Zhao hit 12 centuries on his way through to the first round.
The Chinese star spends little time getting going with two quick reds and blacks. Jones only had one visit to the table before Zhao built a comfortable lead in this opening frame.
However, Zhao eventually runs out of reds and his break of the pack is not kind resulting in a safety shot.
Jones v Zhao
The winner of today’s opening match between Jak Jones v Zhao Xintong plays Lei Peifan, who beat Kyren Wilson last night.
Jak Jones was beaten finalist last year by Wilson who has made an early exit. Jones v Zhao get their tournament underway in five minutes time.
Video: 'That's the crucible’
The Crucible is renowned for being tightly packed and defending champion Kyren Wilson saw his cue hit an advertising board whilst attempting to take a shot yesterday.
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'That's the Crucible, Kyren' - Shake of the head as Wilson struggles for space to shoot
Video credit: TNT Sports
O’Sullivan has Kyren Wilson claim after shock exit
Ronnie O’Sullivan suggested that Kyren Wilson had played "too much match snooker" after the 2024 world champion was knocked out by Lei Peifan on Saturday evening.
Wilson was another victim of the 'Crucible curse', with no first-time champion successfully defending their crown.
He had been one of the pre-tournament favourites, but lost 10-9, having been 6-2 ahead at one point in Sheffield.
Welcome to the second day of action
The 49th World Championship in Sheffield got underway yesterday, with several matches continuing today.
In today’s morning session Jak Jones takes on Zhao Xintong, while Xiao Guodong holds a 7-2 lead against Matthew Selt and is just three frames away from a last 16 place
Today's schedule
(All UK times)
10:00
Jak Jones v Zhao Xintong
Xiao Guodong 7-2 Matthew Selt
14:30
Mark Allen v Fan Zhengyi
Mark Williams 5-4 Wu Yize
19:00
Neil Robertson 2-7 Chris Wakelin
Barry Hawkins 5-4 Hossein Vafaei
- - -
How to watch and stream the World Championship
The World Championship begins on Saturday, April 19, with the blockbuster best-of-35 frames final to be played across two days on Sunday, May 4 and Monday, May 5.
You can watch every day of the 2025 World Championship live on TV on TNT Sports, with all the action also available both live and on-demand on discovery+.
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