World Snooker Championship: 'I think he was steaming' - Jimmy White, Alan McManus preview Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter after viewing 'barge-gate'

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The big match of the opening round of the World Championship gets underway on Tuesday afternoon, with seven-time Crucible winner Ronnie O'Sullivan taking on Ali Carter. The pair have a long-standing and occasionally testy relationship. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.

'Going to be a terrific snooker match' - White and McManus look forward to O'Sullivan v Carter

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter face off in the first round of the World Championship on Tuesday, and the TNT Sports pundits are expecting an "occasion and a half".

Carter and O’Sullivan have a long-standing rivalry, and famously brushed shoulders - labelled 'barge-gate' - at the World Championship in 2018.

There were verbals exchanged between the pair following O’Sullivan’s victory in the final of The Masters in 2024.

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When the draw was made for the 2025 World Championship, the eye was drawn to O’Sullivan against Carter.

There had been doubt about whether O’Sullivan would play in Sheffield this year after missing much of the season.

However, he told TNT Sports last week that he would be competing - and the first session of the clash with Carter takes place on Tuesday afternoon, live on TNT sports and discovery+.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

It was a topic of debate in the TNT Sports studio on Monday evening, with Radzi Chinyanganya saying: "It is going to be an occasion and a half."

To which Alan McManus replied: "There has been some needle there in the past."

Cutting to a clip of the shoulder barge, McManus added: "As we see it here, going back seven or eight years, Ali knows what is going on, he knows Ronnie is not going to give an inch. Ali is thinking, 'I will give you some of the same'."

O’Sullivan could be seen giving a thumbs up to Carter as he returned to his seat, as referenced by McManus: "Ronnie there, 'I am cool as a cucumber', to which Jimmy White replied: "I think he was steaming."

In a recent interview, O’Sullivan said he would look to compete into his 50s provided he could rediscover his enjoyment of the game.

In reference to that, McManus said: "We have got to enjoy these guys while we have got them. We missed out at The Masters with Ronnie against John [Higgins], but we have another big match and let’s enjoy it.

"Forgetting all that argy-bargy, it’s going to be a terrific snooker match."

O'Sullivan on Carter feud: It was heat of the moment

O’Sullivan and Carter were once regular practice partners, but their relationship has soured in recent years.

Following 'barge-gate' at the World Championship in 2018, there were angry words exchanged after their meeting in the 2024 Masters final.

Carter accused O’Sullivan of acting in a "disgusting" manner and "snotting all over the floor", while also criticising "morons" in the crowd who called out as he was preparing to take a shot.

Carter’s comments drew an X-rated response from O’Sullivan, who said his opponent is "not a nice person".

O'Sullivan expects 'tough match' against Carter

Video credit: TNT Sports

Asked about the relationship ahead of their World Championship first-round meeting, O’Sullivan said: "It’s fine."

Reflecting on his comments after the Masters final, he added: "It was probably just heat of the moment stuff at the time. I’ve always said that I wished I wouldn’t have said what I said but I can’t take it back.

"It’s kind of out in the open. Neither of us really think much about it."

Carter was asked about the prospect of facing O'Sullivan when he came through qualifying and replied with "no comment really".

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Stream the 2025 World Championship live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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