World Snooker Championship 2025 - Zhao Xintong beats Ronnie O'Sullivan with session to spare after Mark Williams draws level with Judd Trump

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Welcome back to our live updates from the 2025 World Snooker Championship as Ronnie O'Sullivan continues his record title bid in the Crucible semi-finals. Zhao Xintong moved 12-4 ahead of a misfiring snooker GOAT O'Sullivan with a rare session whitewash before their third session on Friday evening at 7pm. Meanwhile, Judd Trump leads Mark Williams 5-3 in the other semi-final.

O’Sullivan and Zhao share warm handshake after stunning semi-final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Zhao beats O'Sullivan with session to spare to reach first Crucible final

Zhao Xingtong has reached the final of the World Championship after beating Ronnie O'Sullivan with a session to spare.

The 28-year-old came into the third session of the semi-final with a 12-4 lead after whitewashing 'the Rocket' in Friday morning's session.

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There were glimmers of hope for the seven-time champion as he claimed the first two frames of the evening, but Zhao took the next two to restore his lead by the mid-session interval.

The latter frame contained a break of 128 from the Chinese talent, marking the 100th century of this year's tournament.

O'Sullivan pinched another frame following the interval, but Zhao was able to storm to a famous victory with breaks of 85, 63 and 88.

He will now be looking to make history and become the first Chinese world champion as he joins Ding Junhui as the only players from the nation to reach the final.

He could also become the first amateur to win the tournament, having lost his place on the tour in 2023 following a match-fixing investigation.

The 28-year-old will take on either Mark Williams or Judd Trump, with the pair locked at 8-8 ahead of the resumption of their semi-final on Saturday morning.

As for O'Sullivan, it is a disappointing end to what has been somewhat of a surprise run to the semi-finals, having not played competitively since January.

It is just the second time the 49-year-old has been beaten with a session to spare at The Crucible, but he offered warm congratulations to his opponent as the match came to an end.

'O'Sullivan has helped me a lot' - Zhao

Speaking to TNT Sports about reaching the final Zhao Xingtong said: "I'm so happy, this is my first, I'm just trying to enjoy the table.

"I say a big thanks to Ronnie because he helped me a lot and gave me support before."

On what O'Sullivan has done for him, he said: "He gives me support, sometimes we have lunch together, have food together, and he tells me some things, it helped me a lot."

On how he was feeling, he said: "A little bit nervous but better than the quarter-final."

'Maybe I've taken the game for granted', says O'Sullivan

Speaking to TNT Sports, Ronnie O'Sullivan has said: "I know [the fans] were willing me on, I just felt really disappointed that I couldn't do anything, because it's such a nice feeling over the years where I've played and maybe I've taken the game for granted in many ways, I didn't realise how much I was in control of it.

"I thought it was going to go on forever and to have the fans behind me all these years and to perform and deliver, I think I can actually look back on it now and be more proud of myself because of the struggle I'm going through now.

"You feel helpless out there, you know they want you to do well, and you really want to do what you've done in the past, so when you aren't able to do it you kind of think: 'That's a bit sad'."

On what's next, he said: "I really don't know, to be honest."

Zhao looking for history

Zhao could become the first Chinese world champion on Monday as he becomes the second player from the country to reach the final, after Ding lost out in 2016.

Zhao beats O'Sullivan with session to spare

Zhao clears up the colours and he has beaten O'Sullivan, who gives the 28-year-old a big congratulations.

The Chinese player is into the final of the World Championships with a session to spare.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao (32-66)

O'Sullivan has one last hope with the final red tight to the top cushion but it's there and Zhao just needs the black.

The black is in the heart of the right corner pocket and there is no coming back for O'Sullivan now.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao (32-35)

Zhao crashes into the cluster of reds on the top cushion and leaves himself a red into the right corner pocket while clearing the space around it.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao (32-19)

Zhao produces a wonderful safety shot and forces the mistake from O'Sullivan so another chance to wrap this match up now.

It's an awkward table though, with the black tied up and a number of reds on the top cushion.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao (32-5)

A superb red into the right centre, followed by a couple of delightful positional shots give O'Sullivan a decent lead but he catches the jaws of the right corner pocket with the cue ball so end of break.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao (7-5)

Zhao misses the mid-distance red, though, so it's not over just yet.

O'Sullivan is immediately on the wrong side of the blue, so work to do as he leaves himself a mid-distance red.

He makes it though and lands plum on the blue this time.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao (0-5)

O'Sullivan misses the mid-distance red but gets a fortunate kiss, which nudges the cue ball over the green pocket.

A couple of moments later, though, and Zhao picks out a delightful long red before rolling in the brown and he is looking to finish this match now.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao (0-0)

Zhao isn't left much, though, and rattles the jaws of the right centre. He also leaves O'Sullivan without anything easy so it's a safety shot from the 49-year-old.

Zhao gets his containing safety shot wrong but gets away with it. O'Sullivan's subsequent safety catches the green but Zhao's long red somehow stays out.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao (0-0)

O'Sullivan is looking to avoid being beaten with a session to spare for just the second time at the Crucible.

He starts the frame with a good safety shot that forces the mistake from Zhao as he knocks a red over the corner pocket.

O'Sullivan is really hampered by the brown though and it's well wide.

O'Sullivan 7-16 Zhao

Zhao leaves himself tight to the side cushion for the all-important red, and it catches the far jaw so a chance for O'Sullivan. An extremely thin one, but a chance.

He pots the first red but leaves himself tight to the side cushion for the black and it's wide of the mark. Zhao is able to mop up and move within one frame of the final.

O'Sullivan 7-15 Zhao (9-53)

Zhao doesn't look under any pressure now as he takes these reds, which are nearly all out in the open for him.

He looks to be going within one frame of victory.

O'Sullivan 7-15 Zhao (9-4)

Zhao's safety shot leaves O'Sullivan a pot into the left corner pocket and it's there from the Rocket but he ends up tucked behind the brown. So just a roll-up from O'Sullivan.

Zhao's attempted escape leaves O'Sullivan a thin snick into the right corner pocket. It just about drops but he's left a tricky green, which does also wriggle in, but he's left tight to the side cushion.

He looks to roll a red into the left corner pocket but it's wide of the mark and Zhao is left in.

O'Sullivan 7-15 Zhao (0-4)

It's a terrific break off from O'Sullivan, and Zhao misses the long pot on the one loose red.

O'Sullivan is left a really tight pot into the right centre. He makes it but snicks off the brown and goes in off in the yellow bag. So unfortunate.

O'Sullivan 7-15 Zhao

Zhao breaks down on 85, so no century, but the frame is his and he is just two frames away from the final, with two frames left to play this evening.

O'Sullivan 7-14 Zhao (0-78)

The break extends to 70 and O'Sullivan needs snookers. But he won't have the chance with Zhao crunching a red into the yellow pocket.

O'Sullivan 7-14 Zhao (0-55)

Zhao starts the break with four reds and four blacks and opts to force position for the black following the fifth red. Likewise, after the sixth red.

He is forced into taking the pink after the seventh, though, so no maximum, but he looks well

set to take this frame.

O'Sullivan 7-14 Zhao (0-1)

O'Sullivan nearly gets in behind the brown with a shot to nothing but leaves a long red on for Zhao.

It's not there, but he leaves nothing easy and O'Sullivan then misses the long red. He leaves an easy starter for Zhao.

O'Sullivan 7-14 Zhao

O'Sullivan is left in among the balls and takes most of the remaining reds to reduce the deficit once again.

O'Sullivan 6-14 Zhao (57-8)

After playing a host of terrific shots, O'Sullivan misses the most routine of reds and Zhao has a chance.

He pots a tricky red but pushes the black safe, so there is no easy colour. He looks to play safe off the black but flukes the cross-double.

He did not want that with the cue ball tight to baulk, and he misses the subsequent long red.

O'Sullivan 6-14 Zhao (52-0)

O'Sullivan leaves himself in no-man's land but plays a terrific blue into the left corner pocket to keep the break going.

He finds himself in the same situation moments later, but it's another excellent blue followed up by a superb red into left centre and the frame is at his mercy.

O'Sullivan 6-14 Zhao (19-0)

O'Sullivan leaves himself low on his second red so that he can screw off the pack and spread the bunch.

He covers the black but pulls off an excellent pot on the pink into the right centre to keep it going. Black and pink tied up for now, though.

O'Sullivan 6-14 Zhao (1-0)

O'Sullivan gets us underway for the final frames of this evening with an excellent break off that finds the baulk cushion.

Zhao's containing safety is loose and O'Sullivan produces a wonderful shot into the right centre.

'He's got to win all four' - White on Ronnie's chances

Speaking on TNT Sports, Jimmy White says: "If Ronnie's going to win this match, he's got to win all four."

O'Sullivan needs two of next four

If O'Sullivan is going to take this semi-final into a fourth session, he must avoid defeat in this mini-session.

A 2-2 draw would be enough to deny Zhao victory this evening, but the Rocket will surely be after all four frames for a chance to turn this match around.

Early hope for O'Sullivan

'The Rocket is back' - O'Sullivan lays fiendish snooker to set up frame-winning chance

Video credit: TNT Sports

The turning point

You feel the key moment of that mini-session was O'Sullivan's miss in the third frame after Zhao broke down on 45 points.

After taking the first two frames of the evening, the momentum would have been completely on the side of the Rocket had he pounced on that chance, but he undercut the first red, and Zhao went on the wrap up the frame before making a ton in the fourth.

O'Sullivan 6-14 Zhao

Zhao produces a break of 128 to make the 100th century of this year's World Championship. More importantly, he restores his lead to eight frames and he is now just three from the final.

Will he get there this evening? The players will return for the final four frames following the mid-session interval.

O'Sullivan 6-13 Zhao (0-69)

Zhao cruises past the snookers required mark, and it's looking his advantage will be back up to eight frames.

O'Sullivan 6-13 Zhao (0-53)

Zhao picks off the loose reds with his usual ease to create a 45-point lead in this frame.

He runs out of position slightly and needs all the equipment for his next red but plays it well to land perfectly on the black.

O'Sullivan 6-13 Zhao (0-13)

O'Sullivan is lucky to get his safety shot back to the baulk cushion, but there is a gap for a long red and Xintong takes it well.

Zhao leaves himself a long blue into the green pocket and while he makes the pot, he overscrews it, and leaves himself a tricky red.

It's there though and he finds a gap to land on the yellow. Another good chance now for the 28-year-old.

O'Sullivan 6-13 Zhao

Xintong misses the yellow with the rest, but he has done more than enough, and you feel that may settle the nerves of the 28-year-old. He restores his advantage to seven frames.

O'Sullivan 6-12 Zhao (0-69)

A couple of reds later and Xintong is into snookers required.

O'Sullivan 6-12 Zhao (0-56)

O'Sullivan misses the first red, though, as he under-cuts it into the left corner pocket before Zhao crunches a mid-distance red into the right corner pocket.

He is quickly out of position but plays a fabulous recovery pot on the brown to get back into prime position.

O'Sullivan 6-12 Zhao (0-45)

Zhao picks off the loose reds nicely to take a 39-point lead before crashing into the reds from the blue, and he has a red on into the left corner pocket.

The balls are there for him now to take this third frame of the evening, but he then misses the pink, catching the near jaw of the left centre.

O'Sullivan 6-12 Zhao (0-9)

O'Sullivan leaves Zhao a long red from the break, but it rattles the jaws once again. They were going in this morning. The 28-year-old has the snooker though behind the green.

O'Sullivan's containing safety is off target on the first two attempts but he makes contact with a red on the top cushion on the third.

He leaves the same red on for Zhao though and he rolls it in superbly into the right corner pocket.

Superb O'Sullivan

'Look at this for a shot' - O'Sullivan pots superb red with his opposite hand

Video credit: TNT Sports

O'Sullivan 6-12 Zhao

O'Sullivan manages to lay Zhao in a snooker behind the black, which is close to the left centre, with the brown towards the yellow pocket.

He misses it on the first attempt, but catches it on the second. He leaves O'Sullivan a tricky pot into the right centre, but it's there from the Rocket. He just needs the blue and produces a sensational thin cut with his left hand, and the frame is his!

O'Sullivan 5-12 Zhao (48-40)

O'Sullivan flukes the yellow but it leaves him snookered from the green. Zhao soon has a shot on the green but is unable to get close to the brown.

He takes it on nonetheless but it rattles the jaws. It runs safe though.

O'Sullivan 5-12 Zhao (46-37)

O'Sullivan's cue-ball control is already looking a lot better than it was this morning. With the black up the table, it is all blues at the moment but he is making this look effortless so far.

He sends the blue on top of the yellow on his final red, but cannons it away as he pots the green. He can't pot it though, so it's a shot to nothing in the form of a double-attempt. It rattles the jaws but he has the snooker.

O'Sullivan 5-12 Zhao (0-37)

Zhao is forced into playing a few gentle cannons early on in this break, but plays them all nicely and is able to establish a 37-point lead.

He needs just one more cannon into the bunch to make this a real frame-winning opportunity, but he misses the black as he forces the cue ball into the pack.

It was a perfect cannon though, so a huge chance now for O'Sullivan.

O'Sullivan 5-12 Zhao (0-15)

O'Sullivan looks to float a red into the right corner pocket, but he is tight to the baulk cushion and over-cuts it, leaving Zhao in among the balls.

Zhao immediately lands wrong side of the blue, so will have a mid-distance red to keep the break going. It's a great recovery shot, though, and he is back in prime position.

O'Sullivan 5-12 Zhao (0-1)

O'Sullivan plays a clever containing shot to the top cushion but Zhao takes a tricky pot on into the right corner pocket and makes it. The white runs into baulk, though, so it will be just the one point.

O'Sullivan 5-12 Zhao (0-0)

O'Sullivan plays an aggressive safety shot, spreading the reds, but manages to find the baulk cushion.

Zhao goes for the red into the left corner pocket but rattles the jaws once again. He finds a route back to baulk though so no damage done.

O'Sullivan 5-12 Zhao

O'Sullivan fails to pot the green but Zhao stays in his seat and the seven-time champion has stopped the rot. Zhao probably made more mistakes in that frame than he did all morning.

Are the nerves getting to him? O'Sullivan certainly looked more assured but there is a huge way to go.

O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao (66-18)

O'Sullivan is left in prime position to quickly get into snookers required and it looks like he has won his first frame from the last 10 available.

O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao (49-18)

Zhao plays a poor positional shot as he plays down for a pair of reds above the black shot, but is well short of pace. He goes for a red into the left centre but it catches the near jaw and O'Sullivan is back in.

O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao (49-4)

The pink has gone up on the brown spot and the black is a little tied up, so there is a lot of work around the blue for now, but O'Sullivan has already made his highest break of the day.

He lands straight on a red along the top cushion, though, and leaves himself an incredibly acute angle on the black. He goes for it but it's under-cut and he has left Zhao in.

O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao (36-4)

O'Sullivan makes the long pot once again and this time lands on the baulk colours, so he has a first real chance of a meaningful break now.

He soon loses position, landing on the wrong side of the blue, but a well-taken blue into right centre and a terrific left-handed red get him back on track.

O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao (13-4)

O'Sullivan nominates brown, and after missing it on the first attempt, clips it on the second and gets the cue ball close to the baulk cushion.

Zhao goes in off from his safety shot into the right corner pocket and the Chinese player is certainly looking less settled than this afternoon.

O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao (9-0)

Zhao players a clever containing shot on his third attempt, which gets a tap on the table from O'Sullivan, who then finds the baulk cushion with his safety.

It forces a loose safety from Zhao, with the cue ball failing to reach baulk, and O'Sullivan has his first chance of a pot. It's right into the heart of the pocket but he snookers himself from any of the colours.

O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao (0-0)

Zhao rattles the jaw with his first long pot attempt and nearly flukes it into the yellow pocket, but it runs safe, and it will be a safety from O'Sullivan.

The Chinese player fails to catch the edge of a red on his safety attempt and concedes the four points but there is no further damage.

O'Sullivan has it put back, though, and Zhao misses it once again, meaning he receives a warning that he needs to hit a red on this attempt or he will concede the frame, given he is not snookered.

O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao (0-0)

It's O'Sullivan who breaks off in this opening frame this evening, and it's an absolutely electric atmosphere at the Crucible. Huge support for the seven-time champion.

Action beginning shortly

The players are waiting in the wings, and we are moments away from the walk-ons. Can O'Sullivan mount a remarkable comeback or will Zhao storm for the finish line?

Zhao dominance

While O'Sullivan mustered just 100 points in this morning's session, scoring no more than 28 in an individual frame, Zhao produced breaks of 86, 57, 113, 82, 57, 67, 115 and 87 to establish his eight-frame lead.

Zhao looking to win with session to spare

O'Sullivan and Zhao are due to return tomorrow afternoon, but if the Chinese player were to win at least five of this evening's eight frames, he would have the job wrapped up a session early.

Williams brilliance

'Excellent shot' - Williams snooker sets up frame-winning chance

Video credit: TNT Sports

All square between Trump and Williams

It’s a tighter affair after 16 frames in the other semi-final, with Mark Williams fighting back against Judd Trump this afternoon to level the scores at 8-8.

The Welshman trailed 5-3 following yesterday’s opening session and soon found himself four frames behind this afternoon following breaks of 70 and 65 from Trump.

However, he pulled out a century in the next frame and went on to win five of the remaining six frames of the session to make it eight apiece.

The pair will return for their third session at 10am (BST) tomorrow.

O'Sullivan's struggles

'I don't think he can believe it' - O'Sullivan woes worsen as he misses routine blue

Video credit: TNT Sports

This evening

Ronnie O’Sullivan will be looking to bounce back after being whitewashed by Zhao Xintong in the second session of their semi-final earlier today.

The seven-time champion trails 12-4 coming into this evening after the pair took four frames each from the opening session on Thursday afternoon.

O’Sullivan, who is using a new cue at this year’s tournament after snapping his old one in January, decided to change the tip following yesterday’s session but didn’t appear to get to grips with the new equipment, scoring just 100 points in the entire session.

Nevertheless, Zhao was in impressive form and became just the fourth player to win a session 8-0 against O’Sullivan at the Crucible.

Good evening

Welcome back to the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship 2025!

Join us again at 18:45 BST

That’s it for this afternoon’s session.

We’ll be back later this evening as Ronnie O’Sullivan hopes to stop the rot and mount some sort of unlikely comeback against Zhao Xintong, who leads 12-4 after taking all eight frames in session two.

Coverage begins at 18:30 UK time live on TNT Sports and discovery+, while you can follow the action right here with our live text commentary.

Williams roars back to move level with Trump

Three-time champion Mark Williams battled back from an inauspicious start to level at 8-8 with world number one Judd Trump in what is turning into an engrossing semi-final at The Crucible.

The Ace in the Pack, who led 5-3 overnight, quickly moved four frames in front with a run of 70 and a 65 clearance to pull off a super steal after Williams had missed a routine black to the left corner.

The veteran Welshman responded with a much-needed run of 105 for his 84th Crucible century before a break of 84 cut the deficit back to two frames heading into the mid-session interval.

A scrappy 13th frame eventually went the way of Williams as he made it three in a row, before Trump responded with a hat-trick of sublime doubles in an otherwise untidy frame to stay in control.

The pattern continued in another cagey affair after Williams missed a simple red off a run of 47, but after a ding-dong safety tussle it was the 50-year-old who dragged himself over the line courtesy of an outstanding long brown.

Williams then levelled the match overnight with a super 96 clearance meaning he has the momentum ahead of the third session on Saturday (10 am UK time).

Trump 8-8 Williams

Williams fouls playing another safety and there’s a chuckle with the referee when they have some confusion over re-spotting the cue ball for attempt number two, as Trump decides to take on a pot.

The world number one can’t produce the goods with a red to the green pocket and it’s Mark who gets in again with an excellent red from left to right.

The Welsh veteran nicks a blue to middle right and slots the pink to the corner, but has work to do with the black cloaked by a red tight to the bottom deck.

It matters little as he moves out of sight, cutting a delicious pink to middle right before almost missing a very simple red hovering over the right corner.

Trump can only watch on as Williams looks to finish with a flourish and a superb 96 clearance ties the semi-final overnight!

Trump 8-7 Williams (0-30)

Williams looks to ride the momentum further as a stonking long red helps him put together a swashbuckling run of 30, but it goes wrong suddenly when he loses control of the cue ball via a venomous pot from deep.

It's not been a great session for Judd since the opening two frames, but he can still hold that overnight lead if he can put something together here.

Trump 8-7 Williams

Wow!

Williams takes on a tough long brown, coated in all sorts of pressure given how this frame has gone.

He lands it perfectly in the left corner and then rolls a blue to the opposite bag.

The pink to middle right seals the deal and after blowing a big chance at 47-0, he eventually gets the job done via a very scenic route!

He's one behind with one frame left to play in this session. Can he drag himself level overnight?

Trump 8-6 Williams (56-56)

Mark plays another smart snooker in-behind that black tight to the right rail.

Trump plays across off two cushions but fouls to leave the score tied once again with four balls left.

Trump 8-6 Williams (56-52)

Judd zaps the yellow to its home pocket and stays close enough to hammer down the green to the same bag.

He can’t find any angle on the brown despite coming off the bottom deck and back up.

Williams gets another look and plays a beauty of a snooker, diverting off the brown and tucking in behind the black near to the right cushion.

Trump 8-6 Williams (51-52)

It’s Williams who sinks the final red with a super, long red to the left corner.

However, a blue down to middle left doesn’t read the script as it catches far jaw and stays out.

Another plot twist!

Trump 8-6 Williams (51-51)

This time it’s Trump’s turn to foul.

He takes on a dead-straight long red to the left corner with awkward cueing off the baulk cushion.

He hits it cleanly but can’t avoid the inevitable and goes in-off.

Mark can’t take charge despite that error and it’s level-pegging with one red left on the table.

Trump 8-6 Williams (51-47)

Judd hits the front on the board and again he adds to his score without potting a ball as Williams misjudges the glance of a red via the bottom deck and completely misses it.

'He's absolutely fuming' - Williams hits cue in frustration after missing a pot

Video credit: TNT Sports

Trump 8-6 Williams (47-47)

Another foul sees Mark misjudge the pace and angle from baulk with the two reds and the black in close-proximity near the right corner.

The nudge on the black means the Welshman’s lead is now gone in what could be a crucial frame in this match.

He gets it right and earns some well-deserved applause for his escape at the second time of asking.

'He keeps knocking them in' - Trump sinks excellent double against Williams

Video credit: TNT Sports

Trump 8-6 Williams (40-47)

The two remaining reds are tied near to the bottom deck and it’s Williams who blinks first as he misjudges the pace trying to apply a feather touch from behind the green, high up in baulk.

Trump puts him back in and the Welsh Potting Machine finds the solution at the second time of asking.

On we go!

'He's so good at it' - Trump finds brilliant plant against Williams

Video credit: TNT Sports

Trump 8-6 Williams (36-47)

There’s another groan of disappointment from the crowd as Mark takes on a red all the way up the right rail, only for it to turn down the invitation.

To make matters worse for the Welsh veteran, it stays near to the bag, allowing Judd to clip it down and remain in the hunt for a steal.

The 2019 champion plays safe off the green and we are caught in a safety stare-off for the third frame on the spin.

Trump 8-6 Williams (35-47)

Judd slots a red to the corner and then frees a mini pack of reds with a ricochet via a pot on the black.

The world number one ticks along nicely, playing a quite delightful black to the corner off the bottom cushion that nudges another red away to leave him dead-on a red to the left.

There are three reds left with one stuck to the right rail, but he catches the near jaw attacking one to the left corner and hangs his head in dismay.

This frame is anyone’s from here!

Trump 8-6 Williams (0-47)

Williams opens with a trademark long red before the yellow and another red get him back down to the table for the black off its spot.

The Welshman mops up a couple of stray reds, playing around the pack to the blue, allowing him to go for broke with an attempted split from the top.

The power doesn’t give him the options he desired, but he only needs one to continue the run and that is most certainly on.

The half century seems inevitable, but he fluffs his lines, earning gasps of surprise from the crowd when he misses a routine red down to the corner.

Indeed, he punches his cue several times on his way back to his chair - but just how costly could it be?

Trump 8-6 Williams

Williams sends a red to the left corner and then a pink down to the opposite bag but can’t pull off the double to middle left.

Trump goes for a pot to the yellow bag that doesn’t pay off, but he inadvertently hides the cue ball behind the black.

Mark almost comes up with a pot via the escape and as the cat and mouse continues, the Welshman is first to blink and concedes before Judd can return.

Trump 7-6 Williams (57-0)

Oof.

Trump tries to tease a red from left to right up to middle but can’t find the bag.

It leaves a similar shot on for Mark and he finds the pot, but then goes in off into the green pocket!

Williams now needs snookers.

Trump 7-6 Williams (53-0)

A brief impasse ends in spectacular fashion as Trump spies another double – his second of the frame – to delight the crowd once more.

A pink to the same pocket keeps the scoreboard ticking and he makes fine use of the rest to shunt a red to the green pocket.

There’s still a fair bit of work to do to get himself over the line and he makes it a hat-trick of doubles with another fine execution off a red to middle.

Trump then plays the green safe to the right cushion and Williams’ hopes of a steal are fading now.

Trump 7-6 Williams (34-0)

Williams can’t tease a red to middle and the momentum swings back to Trump.

This time he lives up to his nickname as The Ace in the Pack with a fabulous red double to middle.

Nothing is coming easy, however, and he needs another elegant pot, cueing over a red to jab one down to the left corner.

It’s a great pot – just like the double – but he can’t regain position and has to play safety to baulk off the yellow.

Trump 7-6 Williams (25-0)

Trump hasn’t done that much wrong, but knows he needs to be assertive now.

A sensational shot to nothing red from tight to baulk down to the right corner gets even better with an excellent split off a black to the left corner.

A pink to middle left is followed by an explosive long red planted off the top of the pack. It’s a special shot and frees up the reds.

The frame is there for the taking, but he gets sloppy on a red near to the black and needs a fine cut on the colour to get back on track.

It doesn’t transpire and a big opportunity goes awry.

Trump 7-6 Williams

The cat and mouse continues until Trump comes off the baulk cushion and catches the blue, leaving one of the two remaining reds on to middle.

He’s not interested in continuing any further and concedes the frame.

Williams has now taken three in a row and is now just one behind!

Trump 7-5 Williams (20-64)

It’s been a scrappy frame – and it’s getting messier.

There are two reds left, one up in baulk behind the green and one tight to the black, hovering over the left corner.

It looks like we may have some mileage left in this one unless someone produces an almighty howler.

'Dramatic shot' - Williams flukes blue but break ends as he stops brown with his hand

Video credit: TNT Sports

Trump 7-5 Williams (20-64)

Mark gets fortunate with a safety that denies Judd a look at a red to the left corner and another to the yellow pocket.

The Englishman deliberates his options for a while and can’t come up with something to turn the momentum his way.

Wiliams is left open for a red to the corner and develops his lead further, clipping a belting black up to middle right.

A red to the left corner and the black off its spot tees him up for a potentially tricky red along the lower deck.

It’s frame ball and he makes sure with a delicate, controlled pot. A tough black cut to the opposite bag is needed to keep Judd in his seat, but the Welshman can’t find the angle and Trump will return in search of a snooker.

Trump 7-5 Williams (20-39)

Judd rolls a red up the left rail to the yellow pocket and surveys a table that is pretty inviting apart from one red tight to the lower left cushion.

The world number one screws back off a pot on the black to the corner, but gets a naughty nick off the pink that leaves him shaking his head.

He expected to be on one of three reds, but is left tight to another one, meaning he can’t find the pathway through.

There’s no alternative but a safety and now both players have had a reprieve!

Trump 7-5 Williams (0-39)

Trump gets us back underway – but it’s Mark that’s still got that Mojo flowing.

A stonking long red to the right corner is followed by a black to the opposite bag, but it’s a supreme plant on a red across to left middle that has the crowd swooning.

He follows that with an exceptional split and all of a sudden he’s got a frame-winning opportunity.

The lay of the balls almost leads to some complacency and he begins to chase position, coming up well shy with a run of 39 when a tough cut on a black to the left corner goes wrong.

The Welshman will be frustrated with that. He's given up a huge opportunity and left it open for Trump to punish him....

Ton up!

The Welsh Potting Machine at his best.

'Typically steely response' - Williams makes century against Trump

Video credit: TNT Sports

Outstanding attack backed up by sublime defence

The three-time champion produced some excellent snooker at times during the first part of this afternoon session.

'One way to get yourself out of a hole' - Williams sinks superb pot and lays snooker against Trump

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Trump 7-5 Williams

Williams knocks a simple red and a blue to middle before working his way towards the black and a few stray reds.

There’s less risk with two reds north of the pack so he plays off the blue before coming back down for the black off its spot.

It’s free-flowing but very careful cueing from the Welshman as he caresses the shots with very little back lift.

It paves the way for an attempt at the split and that is also gently done, potting the black to the right corner and nudging a south-east red free.

This time he does bring the power, slamming it to the left corner and finally opting to part the remainder of the pack.

He’s got the brown over the yellow pocket for a bit of insurance if he needs it, but it’s not in his thinking as he plays off the black on its spot to move past the half century and within sight of the frame.

An excellent cut up to a red sends it back down to the left corner and the rapturous applause do the maths for everyone involved.

A blue down to middle left and another red to the right corner ensure Trump won’t be returning in this frame.

A stunning cut on a red near to the blue sends it neatly to the middle left and he nails a Hollywood blue that earns some whoops of delight. Sadly, he catches the brown with his hand as a bit of collateral damage and the hope of back-to-back centuries ends right there.

It’s a fine response though as he heads to the mid-session interval two frames behind having lost the first two of the afternoon.

Trump 7-4 Williams (1-0)

That’s a beauty.

Trump breaks a brief safety impasse to roll a delightful red from right to left middle.

However, the world number one’s long brown to the green pocket refuses the invitation of the bag and it offers a decent opportunity for Williams once again.

Our TNT Sports experts discuss The Rocket's woes

'Pure frustration' for O'Sullivan in second session against Zhao - Evans

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Trump 7-4 Williams

Trump’s lull has definitely opened the door for Williams and he leans on the support of the crowd, knocking in a decent long brown to the yellow pocket.

When he’s on song those sorts of shots are food and drink, but he’s not quite found his rhythm yet, so that was an important settler.

A tidy mid-range red with the rest to the left corner tees him up for a pink to the middle and the pack is now nicely split for him.

The black is near to the middle-left pocket with the pink briefly on the black’s spot. He eventually works his way towards a more orthodox table, knocking in the black to middle and sinking a red and a black off its spot to the right corner.

Some lovely position tees him up to take a red in the middle of a row of four to the left corner and the applause between shots tells you he’s about to get on the board and reduce the arrears.

A very nice pot on the penultimate red up to middle right keeps him in the hunt for a century and the final red is more routine to the corner.

An excellent stun to sink a long yellow to its home pocket lines him up perfectly on the green. It allows him to work his way through brown and blue before a pink to the left corner clinches the ton. It’s his 84th Crucible century, but the run ends on 105 when his trick shot on the black goes pear-shaped.

He won’t care about that. He’s stopped the rot and back in business.

Trump 7-3 Williams (1-5)

A surprising lapse on an early safety sees Trump catch a red too thick and leave the cue ball in prime territory in the centre of the table.

Williams soaks up the loud applause as he sinks a red down to the right corner, with the crowd clearly looking to encourage him after a tough, old start this afternoon.

The Welshman can’t build any momentum, however, as a poor miss on a brown to the yellow pocket earns more gasps of surprise from the spectators.

Mark frowns again and leans on the table for half a moment, wondering if it can get any worse.

Trump knocks in a loose red but then fails with a tough cut across the table on a black to the middle left.

‘Come one, Mark’ is the shout from the crowd - will he deliver this time?

Trump 7-3 Williams

Judd quickly sets about the task in hand and gives himself a real chance when he takes the black down the left flank and ricochets into the two tied reds on the bottom deck.

It frees both reds and suddenly The Ace in the Pack is in the driving seat.

The penultimate red and a pink are sent to the right corner with the minimum of fuss.

Williams watches on with a frown etched upon his face. He will be absolutely fuming with himself over that missed black.

Trump takes care of the final red but then it’s heart in mouth time when the yellow jostles with the jaws before dropping to its own pocket.

Green and brown follow with the blue, pink and black on their spots. He needs the clearance, but duly pulls off the steal with a black to the left corner to take it with a run of 65.

Trump 6-3 Williams (0-58)

The aforementioned, superb safety opens the door for Williams to earn a spell at the table, following an opening red with a yellow to its home pocket.

A mid-range red to the right corner leaves him considering the use of the rest for a pink down to the opposite bag, but he leaves it on the table for his next red, despatching the pink in a more orthodox fashion.

The use of the rest allows him to get in amongst the pack, but when a cut on a red leaves him with a tricky pink, he produces a velvety touch on the thinnest of angles to caress it to the right corner and wrestle the break back on track.

He plays off that colour, attacking available reds – and ‘swerving a bit of wildlife’ along the way as pointed out on TNT Sports Comms when a random insect flies at home between shots.

He shrugs off the distraction to make the half century with six reds still available. Two are tied together close to the bottom deck and he wisely leaves them for now.

A black to the left corner looks pretty routine, but his concentration lapses and it jiggles with the jaw before flying out. He looked odds-on to seal the frame there, but now Judd has a lifeline.

Trump 6-3 Williams (0-1)

Both players showcase some intelligent safety in a tense face-off at the start of Frame 10 and Mark gets his thinking cap out, deliberating over one particular shot from almost two minutes.

It pays dividends as he takes on a tough long red from baulk, down the left rail and cleanly into the left corner.

He follows with a delicious safety, playing back up the table and leaving the cue ball tight behind the brown, which is also shadowed by the yellow on its spot in the forefront.

ICYMI: Zhao stuns O'Sullivan with session whitewash

'Take a bow!' - Zhao completes 8-0 whitewash morning session over O'Sullivan

Video credit: TNT Sports

Trump 6-3 Williams

Judd slides a red to the right corner and follows it with the black off its spot.

He makes use of a pink to the middle and the applause from the crowd tells the story that Williams won’t be returning again in this frame.

A sublime, feather touch on the final red across the bottom deck earns him more applause and he showboats slightly with the positional shots from there, moving the cue ball all over the place with all sorts of spin.

A miss on the blue up to the yellow pocket means his run ends on 70, but that coupled with his earlier 52 is more than enough for him to stretch his advantage to three frames.

Trump 5-3 Williams (60-0)

Mark has barely been at the table, but he’s certainly not found his range at all.

The Welshman tries for a fine flick on the red furthest north but completely misses it.

Trump puts him back in and although he does make contact, it’s a bit too thick and when he catches the jaw to land mid-table on his attempt to hit baulk, he knows the writing is on the wall.

Trump 5-3 Williams (56-0)

Ouch.

Williams has the worst possible start as a safety goes awry when the cue ball nomadically makes a beeline off the pack and up to the middle right for an instant foul.

Trump bags a close-range red to the yellow pocket from the dee and comes off the cushions with a blue to land neatly on a red to the left corner.

It’s well-worked by the world number one and he’s able to gobble down routine reds around the back off its spot to quickly develop a healthy advantage.

An attempt to split the pack via a cannon off the pt doesn’t quite go to plan, but he’s able to resuscitate position with a cut down on the black to the left corner.

The red furthest south of the splintered pack is despatched to the right corner and he moves north of the blue, but it’s made a touch awkward by the close proximity of the cue ball to the cushion. He nails it to the middle right and then gets a gorgeous kiss off the red east of the pack to tee it up to left middle and pass the half century.

There are eight reds remaining and he decides there’s little to play off without risk. The break of 52 is a very tidy lead and he plays safe to baulk with the frame almost in the bag.

Show time!

Both players received a fantastic reception.

Trump wastes little time with the break-off and we are underway.

Anticipation building inside The Crucible

The one-table set-up offers seriously special vibes.

The players are waiting in the wings. Time for the big build-up for their entrance!

Good afternoon

Welcome back!

We’ll be turning our full attention to world number one Judd Trump this afternoon as he continues his semi-final tussle with three-time champion Mark Williams.

The Juddernaut leads the Welsh Potting Machine 5-3 with frames nine to 16 coming up.

The boys are at the baulk from 14:30 BST.

'A mad old game' - Trump flukes red after twice failing to escape from snooker

Video credit: TNT Sports

Afternoon session

The Crucible will likely still be in a state of shock when Judd Trump and Mark Williams resume for their second session.

Trump secured a 5-3 lead overnight, in a contest that failed to truly catch fire.

Coverage gets underway at 2:15pm UK time on TNT Sports and discovery+, while you can follow the action right here with our live text commentary.

O'Sullivan sinks 'deserved' red fluke, but then falls short with 'very unusual' blue

Video credit: TNT Sports

Latest: O'Sullivan 4-12 Zhao

Breaks of 86, 57, 113, 82, 57, 67, 115 and 87 from Zhao to assume control of this semi-final. He requires five more frames this evening to reach the final. Long way back for Ronnie. Not impossible for the snooker GOAT, but certainly looks that way on his current form.

'Immaculate snooker' - Zhao runs riot over O'Sullivan with another century in dominant session

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O'Sullivan 4-11 Zhao (28-87)

Another brilliant break from Zhao to finish off this session. Going to lead 12-4 ahead of tonight's second session. 87 from Zhao to conclude. A 12-4 lead for the Chinese player.

O'Sullivan 4-11 Zhao (28-40)

Zhao into the lead then as he chases a clean sweep of all these frames. Looking good for a whitewash in this session.

O'Sullivan 4-11 Zhao (28-6)

Ronnie with a chance to salvage a frame from the wreckage of this session. 11-5 would still keep him in the running in this match. But he then misses a straight blue. Confidence draining from his game.

O'Sullivan 4-11 Zhao (9-0)

Ronnie makes nine before missing another easy red. Looks a bit dejected out there. No wonder. Zhao's scoring has been impeccable, but he's been helped a lot by his opponent.

O'Sullivan 4-10 Zhao (22-69)

A cameo knock of 37 from Zhao to finish off another frame. An 11-4 lead now for Zhao with one more frame to come.

'Doesn't normally miss those' - Uncharacteristic O'Sullivan miss highlights 'brave' ferrule change

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O'Sullivan 4-10 Zhao (22-47)

Zhao missing a sitter of a red, but O'Sullivan does likewise seconds later with red down side rail staying out. Ronnie failing to punish his opponent when he falters. Looks like 11-4 is on the cards. Zhao knows his opponent isn't punishing. Which will only help his mood.

O'Sullivan 4-10 Zhao (22-9)

Superb long red from Ronnie and he extends the break to 22 before missing a simple yellow off the spot. Story of the day. O'Sullivan will fear the worst here with Zhao in stroke.

O'Sullivan 4-9 Zhao (0-115)

All so easy and fluent from Zhao with Ronnie's safety game not at the races. 86, 57, 113, 82, 57 and 67 so far from Zhao. Plus of course the 115 in frame 14. All one-way traffic.

O'Sullivan 4-9 Zhao (0-88)

Two more frames to come after this one. Would be a big move if O'Sullivan can land two of them. But that is a big if at the moment. Only one man contesting this semi-final at the moment.

O'Sullivan 4-9 Zhao (0-60)

Zhao reaching 60 with little fuss. O'Sullivan going to be six frames adrift when his opponent concludes this visit.

O'Sullivan 4-9 Zhao (0-32)

Another safety error by O'Sullivan presents Zhao with another chance to get hand on table to score. In goes straight red and reds are then splashed open off black. This is another wonderful chance to push on.

O'Sullivan 4-8 Zhao (0-67)

A rapid 67 from Zhao and that is another frame. A fifth straight frame for Zhao. Big moments now for O'Sullivan. Would like to get two frames out of this session to halt the bleeding.

O'Sullivan 4-8 Zhao (0-51)

Ronnie's decision to apply a new tip and cue ferrule looks like it is coming back to haunt him. Despite Zhao's brilliance, Ronnie has not taken part in this second session.

O'Sullivan 4-8 Zhao (0-20)

Normal service resumed early in this 13th frame. Zhao back among the balls. Which is hardly good news for Ronnie's hopes. Slams in a red from mid-distance, but not on blue. In goes green and back on reds at business end. Powering through these balls at moment.

O'Sullivan sinks 'deserved' red fluke, but then falls short with 'very unusual' blue

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Latest: O'Sullivan 4-8 Zhao

O'Sullivan 4-7 Zhao (22-74)

Only 22 in response from O'Sullivan as he overscrews black to red. Zhao only adding red and blue. This frame not yet over, but O'Sullivan misses thin clip on a red trying to play safe. This frame has gone too. Ronnie has seen enough.

O'Sullivan 4-7 Zhao (15-57)

Might be not a bad time for Ronnie to take a break at the mid-session interval. This session rapidly becoming damage limitation. But a mid-range yellow isn't canned by Zhao. Didn't see that coming. Suddenly chance for Ronnie. Big visit this.

O'Sullivan 4-7 Zhao (1-33)

All going wrong so far this morning for O'Sullivan out there. Zhao gets lucky with a missed attempt on a long red. Doesn't leave a red. O'Sullivan then flukes a red, but can't drop in a blue to the green pocket. What another chance is presented to Zhao.

O'Sullivan 4-6 Zhao (0-83)

An 82 break from Zhao puts another frame to bed. All very simple from the Chinese player.

O'Sullivan 4-6 Zhao (0-60)

Zhao making this look incredibly easy. Could be another century on the way. Quite a silent, but deadly scorer among the balls.

O'Sullivan 4-6 Zhao (0-44)

Looks like Zhao is up and running again after O'Sullivan can't get white back to baulk. Decent mid-range red is drained for starters by the former UK champion. Ronnie all at sea so far. Zhao looks like moving 7-4 ahead.

O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhao (4-120)

In goes the black for 104. Very, very nice from Zhao after slotting very tidy first red with rest. 112 from the Chinese player. Easy enough when you are presented with obvious chances. Ronnie will need to tidy up his safety game you suspect.

O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhao (0-48)

Already a very decent chance for Zhao to make some rapid progress in this frame. Black in clear so plenty of points in open to tot up here. Should be 6-4 incoming. Has the smell of a century chance off it too.

O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhao (0-24)

Another easy starter for Zhao as Ronnie butchers a safety, but he misses the pack off potting black. Studying a plant of three balls here. But opts instead for the safety shot. And O'Sullivan then makes a mess of a safety shot. Far too thick. Another easy in for his opponent.

O'Sullivan 4-4 Zhao (23-79)

Ronnie opened up the reds off pink, but that missed red proved fatal and that provided Zhao with chance to mop up the balls. Which he does. Zhao regains the lead at 5-4.

O'Sullivan 4-4 Zhao (23-31)

Ronnie thin with a safety shot, but Zhao can't tuck away a mid-range red and an easy starter for O'Sullivan. Superb recovery pot from Ronnie on a cutback black to continue break. But he loses white and misses a red from tight on cushion. Golden chance for Zhao to win this frame here with reds scattered wide open.

O'Sullivan 4-4 Zhao (0-22)

Zhao loses the white ball on 22 in cutting in a fine red. Looks like end of break. And is. Runs safe off yellow back to baulk.

O'Sullivan 4-4 Zhao (0-15)

O'Sullivan with chance of mid-range red after Zhao can't drop in a long red, but rattles the jaws and an easy enough starter for the young Chinese player.

O'Sullivan 4-4 Zhao (0-0)

Off we go then for the ninth frame of this semi-final. O'Sullivan gets the party started for day two of this three-day semi-final in Sheffield. Superb reception for both men.

A rousing reception for both players at Crucible

Eight more frames to come this morning, and eight more to come tonight before they play to a finish on Saturday afternoon. The first man to 17 frames will book their spot in Sunday's best-of-35 frame final. Could be quite a few hours ahead.

'What an atmosphere' - O'Sullivan and Zhao given standing ovation by Crucible crowd

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What happened in first session?

Zhao Xintong made a blistering start to his World Snooker Championship semi-final against Ronnie O'Sullivan, but back came 'The Rocket' to leave things beautifully poised after the first session at The Crucible in Sheffield. The players will return for session two on Friday morning. Watch and stream the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.