World Snooker Championship 2025 LIVE - Reigning champion Kyren Wilson eliminated after heroic comeback from debutant Lei Peifan
Updated 20/04/2025 at 00:16 GMT+1
The 49th World Snooker Championship action on Saturday evening sees defending champion Kyren Wilson continue his clash against Lei Peifan at the Crucible. Elsewhere, Neil Robertson faces an uphill battle against Chris Wakelin, as three-time champion Mark Williams holds a slender lead over Wu Yize. Ronnie O'Sullivan opens his quest for a record eighth title against Ali Carter on Tuesday.
Reigning champion Wilson loses in first round to debutant Lei – ‘Crucible curse strikes again!’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tomorrow's Schedule
10am: Xiao Guodong 7-2 Matthew Selt
2.30pm: Mark Williams 5-4 Wu Yize
7pm: Neil Robertson 2-7 Chris Wakelin
7pm: Barry Hawkins 5-4 Hossein Vafaei
All matches being played to a finish.
Lei shocks Wilson, knocking out champion in decider
The first Crucible classic of the 2025 championship arrived on the first day, as debutant Lei Peifan came back from 6-2 down in the afternoon session to eventually win in a deciding frame against defending champion Kyren Wilson.
In the streakiest of encounters, Lei won the first two frames, Wilson took the next six, then Lei then next seven, before Wilson facing an exit battled back to bring the scores level at nine apiece.
In the scrappy early stages of the frame, both had a chance they failed to take before Lei steadied himself to make a break of 66 and knock a defending champion out in the first round for the first time since Stuart Bingham defeated Stephen Hendry in 2000.
The defeat continues the 'Crucible Curse' as no first-time champion has successfully defended the title the following year since the championship moved to the Crucible in 1977.
On the other table, Barry Hawkins just got the better of Hossein Vafaei to take a 5-4 lead in their match which will resume tomorrow evening.
Ronnie: Wilson played too many tournaments
"For me, I feel he’s played too much match snooker," O’Sullivan said on TNT Sports.
"He’s gone deep in a lot of tournaments. If you look at the last two winners here, him and Luca Brecel, they’ve come in fresh.
"I think at some point around February you need to think the World Championship is the focus.
"You want to play your way into form rather than be on your limit. Maybe he could have missed a few tournaments.
"You need to be feeling strong, come the quarters and semis."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-66c625fa-eeb8-4684-9f1f-d86999239daa-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Wilson played in too many tournaments this season - O'Sullivan
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wilson: The snooker gods were against me
"I think it was kind of a mixture of things," Wilson said on TNT Sports.
"I didn’t feel I did too much wrong early in the session. I missed a brown but it felt the snooker gods were against me.
"Credit to Lei Peifan who held his game together as a debutant and I wish him all the best for the tournament.
"It feels the season’s wasted after losing that, but that’s just the winner in me."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-280711ad-1551-4197-bc5d-a29e083073a0-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Gutted’ Wilson feels 'season has been wasted' after shock Crucible exit
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie: I thought Lei couldn't play!
"He's a very, very, very good match player, with a fantastic temperament," O'Sullivan said on TNT Sports.
"I must say when he first came on the scene I played him a couple of times, I thought 'this geezer can't play'.
"He's one of them you think he's going nowhere. His cue action was all under one thing, he was missing a lot of balls.
"He won [the Scottish open] and now every time you watch him play you think he's a handful for anyone."
Lei beats Wilson 10-9!
A break of 66 gives Lei the deciding frame and the Crucible Curse has struck again as a first-time defending champion will again not win the tournament. This is the first time a champ has been beaten in the first round since Stephen Hendry lost to Stuart Bingham in 2000.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-8ad2ec4e-15ef-48a4-80e9-fd84e8c48dd2-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Reigning champion Wilson loses in first round to debutant Lei – ‘Crucible curse strikes again!’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wilson 9-9 Lei (14-66*)
Wilson is needing snookers. A couple of more pots and Wilson will surely offer his hand.
Wilson 9-9 Lei (14-44*)
What a wobble! Lei's easy red into the bottom right pocket wiped its feet and then some, but goes in and his break continues.
Wilson 9-9 Lei (14-20*)
Another great shot. Lei was the wrong side of the blue but went up and down the table to get on a red.
Wilson 9-9 Lei (14-15*)
Lei's good safety didn't leave an easy option on, but Wilson's double kiss has given his opponent a very good chance to approach the finishing line.
Wilson 9-9 Lei (14-14)
Lei with a fantastic pot of a red into the left middle but he just fails to get position on the black and plays safe up the table.
Wilson 9-9 Lei (14-13)
An awful attempt at splitting the reds off the blue leaves Wilson without a pot and he has to play safe to baulk...and the ball drifts towards the green pocket and drifts in.
Wilson 9-9 Lei (1*-9)
Such a brave shot from Lei from under the side cushion as he opts to take on a red and pots it. But then, with the rest he hits the near cushion before the bottom right pocket and misses it. Now Wilson has a chance.
Wilson 9-9 Lei (0-1*)
Wilson with a loose safety gives Lei the first opportunity and he rockets a red into the yellow pocket.
Hawkins 5-4 Vafaei
They have lifted the wall so the whole arena can watch the final frame, after Vafaei wins the last on the other table.
Wilson 9-9 Lei
What a privilege to get a Crucible classic on the opening day.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (73*-40)
Lei plays on requiring two snookers but Wilson on his next visit pots the green and brown to put the frame beyond doubt.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (61*-40)
A magnificent shot to catch the red squarely and move it beyond the baulk colours after potting the blue and coming off the bottom cushion. That could be a shot of the championship already.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (47*-40)
Wilson now in front and there are two more comfortable reds to pot before he tackles the tricky one on the cushion above the right middle.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (10-40)
Lei takes on a difficult long red and hit it too hard with the red bouncing up out of the pocket and leaves Wilson with a chance to at least go in front in the frame now.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (10-40)
Lei tries to play safe to baulk but puts the cue ball in the yellow pocket. Wilson neglects to take on a very tough long red and instead plays safe.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (6-40)
The Chinese player loses position and it is the end of break as he just rolls into the cluster of reds around the pink spot.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (6-5*)
It was a difficult safety but a poor shot from Wilson gifts Lei a chance to build a break now.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (6-4)
Wow! Wilson pots a red with a lot of top spin and the cue ball follows into the bottom right pocket.
Wilson 8-9 Lei (6*-0)
Wilson rockets home a red and gets a bit of luck as the cue ball kisses the blue and gives him position to pot the ball next.
Hawkins 4-3 Vafaei
The other table can't match this excitement, but it is very competitive with Hawkins 4-3 up.
Wilson 8-9 Lei
What a match this is. Proving his Warrior tag once more, Wilson cleans up to take the frame on the black.
Wilson 7-9 Lei (31*-60)
It looked good as Lei aimed a red into the yellow pocket, but it bounced in the jaws and stayed out. The table has nothing which should stop Wilson from clearing up now.
Wilson 7-9 Lei (25-60)
Lei has an awkward red into a blind bottom right pocket and misses. But he inadvertently snookers Wilson from that ball with the black.
Wilson 7-9 Lei (25-29*)
Sometimes it is your day. Lei misses a red by a mile into the middle pocket hitting the near jaw and it drifts up to and into the yellow pocket. While also setting himself up on the black.
Wilson 7-9 Lei (25-28*)
Lei gets a leaping bounce off the cushion after a delicate pot into the left middle, leaving him a difficult black into the right middle, but he slots it home.
Wilson 7-9 Lei (25-1*)
Wilson tries to pot the black with reverse side, he may have got a kick but now Lei has a chance to build a score.
Wilson 7-9 Lei (8*-0)
Wilson starts the frame with a fantastic long red and then pummels the black home. He is not going to die wondering...
Wilson 7-9 Lei
A wonderful 106 break from Wilson to keep his hopes of survival alive. That's one of the four straight he needed.
Wilson 6-9 Lei (74*-2)
Wilson gets his first half century since the eighth and has pulled a frame back.
Wilson 6-9 Lei (7*-2)
Wilson back at the table again and on a very inviting table now. Surely the world champ doesn't spurn this chance to build a score.
Wilson 6-9 Lei (6-2)
Wilson on the board for his first pot in over half an hour after another Lei miss, but he can't get position off the blue and has to play back to baulk.
Wilson 6-9 Lei (0-2)
Wilson ruing his luck once more. His long shot to nothing wobbled three or four times in the bottom right pocket before bouncing out, while Lei then misses a pot by a mile and leaves a safe table.
Wilson 6-9 Lei (0-2)
Lei takes on a dead-weight long red but he slots it into the bottom right pocket. Once more though he is not on a colour and plays safe to the baulk end.
Wilson 6-9 Lei (0-1)
It will count for little but Lei pots a great long red to start the frame, but he has to play safe now as he is not on a colour.
Wilson 6-9 Lei
A 92 break from Lei, his best of the match. The Crucible Curse looks pretty real as things stand.
Wilson 6-8 Lei (0-71*)
Another frame is secured. Just one frame now required from this incredible talent to knock out the world champion.
Wilson 6-8 Lei (0-53*)
Another frame, another half century from Lei. He is just a few pots away from a 9-6 lead.
Wilson 6-8 Lei (0-14*)
He can do little wrong at the moment. He plays a cannon to set himself up to pot the black and keep the break going. Now the black is out of commission now though.
Wilson 6-8 Lei (0-1*)
A loose safety from Lei gives Wilson a mid-range red on to get his hand on the table, but he isn't even particularly close to potting it. Lei then pots a red to start another break.
Hawkins 3-2 Vafaei
Vafaei makes a 56 clearance to reduce the difference on the other side of the crucible screen to one frame.
Wilson 6-8 Lei
The break ends at 69 and Lei is now just two frames from a place in the second round.
Wilson 6-7 Lei (19-62*)
He is making this look so easy! Lei has secured another frame. His sixth straight. Wilson's time in the tournament is looking precarious, to say the least.
Wilson 6-7 Lei (19-23*)
He left himself a tough option for a colour but he fired in the green and got back in position once more. He continues to look irrepressible.
Wilson 6-7 Lei (19-1*)
Wilson left himself a tricky mid-range pot and he misses it. He hasn't made a break in the 40s since frame nine. Lei now has a chance.
Wilson 6-7 Lei (6*-0)
Wilson was ruing his luck, but he got some there as the white stayed out of the green pocket despite seemingly hanging halfway over it. From the next shot, Lie leaves a red near the bottom-right pocket and he pots it, with the blue waiting over the left middle.
Wilson 6-7 Lei (0-0)
We are back underway and, as has been standard, it begins with a period of safety play.
Hawkins 3-1 Vafaei
The other table is on a break as well, after Hawkins sealed the final frame to go off two in front.
Wilson 6-7 Lei
A brilliant break of 89 has seen Lei take the lead. From 6-2 down to 7-6 up. Boy does Wilson need the mid-session interval.
Wilson 6-6 Lei (9-50*)
Another tremendous half century from Lei. He is just a few points from blitzing the whole half session.
Wilson 6-6 Lei (9-4*)
A long cut from Lei to breaks the stalemate and he left just as tricky a green, but he pots that as well. He has a chance now with it being hard to find a spot on the table where a red is not pottable.
Hawkins 2-1 Vafaei
After an extended spell with Vafaei looking for a snooker, Hawkins eventually gets over the line to take the lead again.
Wilson 6-6 Lei (9-0)
The break ends at 9, as Wilson fails to get position and has to play safe.
Wilson 6-6 Lei (1*-0)
Wilson, from the baulk cushion, rolls a red into the bottom left pocket. Great cueing.
Wilson 6-6 Lei
A break of 75 secures the frame. Wilson has only scored 16 points this evening.
Wilson 6-5 Lei (1-55*)
He left himself a tough long red into the yellow pocket to continue the break, but he does that firing the ball home and getting position. Now the frame looks a formality.
Wilson 6-5 Lei (1-38*)
Lei has enough free reds to secure the frame in this visit. What a start this could be...
Wilson 6-5 Lei (1-1*)
Wilson misses a straight forward brown, smashing the attempted pot as he looked to use all of the pocket to get position and now Lei can start a break.
Wilson 6-5 Lei (1*-0)
Wilson has the thinnest space to get through to cut a red into the middle pocket, but get through it he does and he is first with a chance in the 12th frame.
Wilson 6-5 Lei (0-0)
Lei misses a long pot into the green pocket, but does not leave a pot on for Wilson.
Ronnie expects tough match against the Captain
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-e6db44b9-0964-47f6-8b2a-74ba4aa917a6-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
O'Sullivan expects 'tough match' against Carter
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hawkins 1-1 Vafaei
A fantastic blue puts Vafaei over the line in the second frame to level the arrears.
Wilson 6-5 Lei
Lei adds a 60 break to his earlier 53 and he reduces the champ's lead to one.
Wilson 6-4 Lei (1-80*)
Lei has accomplished what he had to do and taken the first two frames.
Wilson 6-4 Lei (1-58)
How's your luck Kyren! He pots the blue and opens up the reds but one of them slides into the bottom left pocket.
Wilson 6-4 Lei (1*-53)
Lei misses a red from just above the pack into the bottom left corner pocket. The long red Wilson is left is far from easy but he slams it into the yellow pocket.
Wilson 6-4 Lei (0-39*)
He won the opening two frames of the opening session and he looks like he might repeat the feat in the evening.
Wilson 6-4 Lei (0-1*)
Lei has little option but to take a long pot almost the hypotenuse of the table, but he slots in the red and is on the black.
O'Sullivan says he is struggling ahead of return
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-b00bb034-9289-4cca-8d59-0da917247311-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
O’Sullivan says he is struggling ahead of return to snooker
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wilson 6-4 Lei
He misses a double on the black so his second break ends on 45, but a statement of intent from Lei there.
Wilson 6-3 Lei (14-90*)
The frame is secured for Lei now, he will try to end up with a second fifty break in the frame.
Wilson 6-3 Lei (14-60*)
Wilson gambled getting the difficult red off the cushion and left himself a tricky black which he misses into the same pocket Lei failed to pot the pink. Now the Chinese player should take the opener.
Wilson 6-3 Lei (1*-59)
Lei left himself a tricky pink into the middle and it bounced off both jaws before bouncing out. He left Wilson a tricky pot with the rest but, though seeing little of the ball, he rolled it down the cushion to get underway.
Wilson 6-3 Lei (0-41*)
Lei is cueing beautifully and now he has the pink in play, so this has become a great chance to win the opening frame of the session.
Wilson 6-3 Lei (0-14*)
Wilson rolled the cue ball into the reds second time around but allowed Lei a tricky pot into the bottom left pocket which he slots in and a good pot on the black has set him up for a chance to build a score.
Hawkins 1-0 Vafaei
A great start for Barry Hawkins as a break of 91 gives him the opener.
Wilson 6-3 Lei (0-6)
First points of the evening come as Wilson fails to roll his way into the pack of reds off a cushion and hits the pink, before being sent back to try again.
Wilson 6-3 Lei (0-0)
An extended period of safety play begins the frame, with neither player offering the other a sniff of a pot yet.
Wilson 6-3 Lei
Our main focus will be on this match on TNT Sports 3, but we will also keep an eye on Hawkins-Vafaei, which you can watch on discovery+.
The players are set to enter the arena...
The evening session will begin shortly.
Wilson returning to table in control against Lei
The World Champion got the best of his Chinese opponent Lei Peifan in the morning session, taking a 6-3 lead and needs just four frames when the match resumes shortly.
Barry Hawkins and Hossein Vafaei will begin their match on the other side of the Crucible divide.
Wakelin heading for shock victory over Robertson
Chris Wakelin requires only three more frames to end Neil Robertson's hopes at the World Championship after racing 7-2 clear of the 2010 Crucible winner.
Qualifier Wakelin won a tense final frame of the session on the final black in Sheffield to open up a shock five-frame lead overnight after earlier producing runs of 108, 70, 62, 52 and 54 with his opponent winning his two frames of the day with a 60 in the second frame and a 100 in the eighth.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-004ae10e-64f7-4b18-b575-ed4b49db25fb-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Look what it means’ - Wakelin celebrates nerveless clearance to open up big lead against Robertson
Video credit: TNT Sports
They play to a finish at 7pm on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, three-time champion Mark Williams is 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.
Today's schedule
(All UK times)
10:00
Kyren Wilson 6-3 Lei Peifan
Xiao Guodong 7-2 Matthew Selt
14:30
Neil Robertson 2-7 Chris Wakelin
Mark Williams 5-4 Wu Yize
19:00
Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei
Kyren Wilson v Lei Peifan
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (64-70)
Majestic thin cut on a blue by Chris with white on side rail. Faced with another thin pink to left middle. In it goes. And he cans the black for an overnight lead of 7-2. That is a huge final frame of the day.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (64-52)
Real fierce safety joust on final three colours. Chris needs them all.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (64-52)
Error by Chris to stick yellow over a top bag. Robbo drops in yellow and green. And rolls in brown to right centre. Safety shot on blue. 50-minute frame. Neil only requires blue.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (55-52)
What an escape from a snooker by Robertson to hit the yellow and leave it safe. A vital frame in this match you would suggest. Both men have had chances in it.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-f9a87251-5b2b-4ada-ae05-a381c53f405c-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Wakelin struggles to play shot with long rest against Robertson
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (55-52)
Wakelin leaving Robertson in a snooker and Neil leaves red despite escaping. Chris with red and pink to left middle, but can't land on yellow. Coming down to the yellow to sort out this tense ninth frame.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (55-45)
Break moves to 55 from Neil, but he misses the final red along the top cushion. Can't believe he has missed that. Think he has got the snooker. So that is certainly a result.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (32-45)
Huge visit to the table for Neil in the wider picture of this match. Big ask to win frame at this visit, but should lead when he finishes this break.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (6-45)
But just when you thought it was safe to go back in water he misses mid-range red. Didn't see that coming. Reprieve for Robbo.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (0-40)
Wakelin inching towards a 7-2 lead ahead of the second session of this match. Which would have been beyond his wildest dreams surely before the start of play.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (0-32)
Black covered by red, but blue and pink on hand to score from. In goes red with rest. Which leaves a straight blue to the yellow pocket.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (0-19)
Brilliant long red by Chris before he drags the white around the angles and back up for the blue. Excellent from Chris.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (0-13)
Wakelin contemplating a tough old shot with the extended rest and starts laughing on the shot before opting for something easier. A nice moment in this final frame of the session.
Robertson 2-6 Wakelin (0-1)
Excellent pot on a red with the long rest by Chris, and he can stick the Aussie in a tough snooker behind green and brown. Real problem here for Neil in a day that seems to have been full of them.
Williams 5-4 Wu
Williams dominates the ninth frame of the day to claim a 5-4 overnight lead on the other table.
Robertson 1-6 Wakelin (103-5)
Brilliant 100 break exactly from Neil and is back to 6-2 behind. One more frame to come in the session as Robbo munches a banana. Back in the 1980s, it might have been a pint.
Robertson 1-6 Wakelin (77-5)
This has been a stunning response from Robbo under the pump. Heading for a century break as we speak.
Robertson 1-6 Wakelin (38-5)
Not far from the winning line in this frame. Lead of 33 points. With pink and black in open, would expect Robbo to put away the balls he requires.
Robertson 1-6 Wakelin (25-5)
Big visit coming up from Neil as he slams in a long red to get himself moving in a frame he surely has to win. Has been a serious struggle for the Aussie out there.
Williams 4-4 Wu
78 from Willo in the eighth frame and that match is finely poised at 4-4 with one frame remaining of the session. They are due to conclude on Sunday afternoon.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-35285cd9-d687-4425-b51e-597478c12378-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Wakelin makes ‘unbelievable’ pot of a red - ‘Shot of the afternoon’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 1-6 Wakelin (1-66)
Robbo in a real spot of trouble here. Two more frames of this session to come. Would suggest Neil might need them both.
Williams 3-4 Wu
136 break from Wu as he moves 4-3 ahead of Williams from 3-0 down. Williams running in only 16 points in past four frames.
Robertson 1-5 Wakelin (0-66)
But nothing coming back from Robertson. A lead of 66 now for Wakelin with only 59 left up. Looks for all the world like 6-1 to the qualifier.
Robertson 1-5 Wakelin (0-54)
Break heads over the 50-mark, but he isn't nicely on next red after coming in and out baulk via the blue. Studying his options here. But red to left centre isn't there. Just headed off line. Never up, never in as it comes off near jaw.
Robertson 1-5 Wakelin (0-36)
Robbo being frozen right out of this contest so far. 60 in the third frame is the highlight of the session for him. Modest pickings. Wakelin continue to make steady progress.
Williams 3-3 Wu
Wu producing knocks of 120, 90 and 72 to level up Williams at 3-3.
Robertson 1-5 Wakelin (0-18)
In goes another fine red from Wakelin early in the seventh frame. Clearly growing in confidence as a red with rest is downed and he nudges the pink over top right-hand corner. Golden chance for Chris to build another decent lead.
Robertson 1-5 Wakelin (0-0)
What is Neil going to unearth here. Wakelin all over his opponent like a rash in this contest.
Robertson 1-4 Wakelin (33-70)
This has been excellent from Chris as he mops up the colours with some ease to move 5-1 ahead. Robbo forced to digest a dilemma with three frames of this session to come.
Robertson 1-4 Wakelin (33-38)
What a glorious pot on Chris with red to left middle being drained. Brilliant stuff after Robbo again breaks down. Looks like Neil might be heading 5-1 down here. Needs Wakelin to lose his mojo on the colours.
Robertson 1-4 Wakelin (8-18)
Wakelin goes for a do-or-die blue when the safety shot looked the better option. Doesn't drop and Robbo is presented with chance to atone for his earlier miss.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-033d4247-8a4f-4aff-ad4c-0f83de72695d-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Wakelin makes ‘great escape’ from ‘horrible’ Robertson snooker
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 1-4 Wakelin (1-7)
Another chance goes astray for Robbo as a tricky red to left middle doesn't findthe target. Chris up and running here again in frame six of the afternoon.
Robertson 1-3 Wakelin (14-60)
35 from Wakelin is going to be good enough for a 4-1 lead in this match. Dream start to this first-round encounter. Robbo seeing enough as his opponent drops in a long red to seal the deal. Robbo in a spot of bother here.
Robertson 1-3 Wakelin (13-30)
Wakelin getting the better of this safety joust and plenty of reds available in bottom half of table to get the frame won at this visit. Would be disappointed not to win frame before he returns to his chair.
Robertson 1-3 Wakelin (13-24)
Robbo taking over a minute to work out a shot here before running white off the pack to the top cush.
Williams 3-1 Wu
Glorious 120 from Wu Yize in the fourth frame. Wu back to 3-1 behind in race to 10.
Robertson 1-3 Wakelin (13-24)
Wakelin misses a tricky red to left centre, but only 24 from that visit. Opting against attacking the pack when it looked the better outcome. A bit of a let-off for Robbo, it must be said.
Robertson 1-3 Wakelin (13-0)
Chris hits a red, but leaves a red for Robbo to get started along top cushion. This looks like a better opening for Neil with pink and black out in the open too. But he misses straight pink to left centre. Gasps from the crowd inside the Crucible.
Robertson 1-3 Wakelin (1-0)
Brilliant long red by Neil early in the fifth frame before he rolls up behind the brown in baulk.
Robertson 1-3 Wakelin (0-0)
Off we go with five more frames to come this avo in this contest. Wakelin looking for two more of them to secure an overnight lead before they conclude on Sunday evening.
Williams 3-0 Wu
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-4ba20e2d-6642-4ed5-8c5a-83475bea22ee-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Williams shows ‘wicked sense of humour’ as he does job of referee and picks ball out of pocket
Video credit: TNT Sports
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (42-73)
This has been first class from Chris. 62 to the final pink, and that will be the end of the fourth frame. Wakelin moves 3-1 ahead. Food for thought for Robbo.
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (42-59)
Reds are all canned. In goes black and looks perfect on yellow too. Should be a 3-1 lead incoming.
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (42-36)
Neil missed a thin cut on a red from distance, and may be heavily punished for the blunder.
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (42-27)
Chance for Wakelin to launch the counter attack as a red to green pocket is despatched. Huge visit to the table here for Chris as he looks to launch the recovery.
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (42-11)
Goes all wrong for Neil when it looked like he would push on after making 35 as white somehow runs away through a gap in reds. Safety to follow.
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (34-11)
Very impressive visit from Robbo with white under tight control around the black spot. Chance to build a healthy lead at this visit.
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (19-11)
Robbo finding this tough going at the moment out there. Drains a mid-range red before holding for the black. Very nice from the Aussie. Pink nailed to a side cush. But black is back on its spot.
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (6-11)
Wakelin with only 11 off the bat this time. Robertson knocks in a long-range red, but nothing doing this time off the blue.
Williams 2-0 Wu
52 from Williams in the second frame to go with 57 for the Welshman as he moves two ahead on the other main table in the Crucible.
Robertson 1-2 Wakelin (0-0)
One more frame then before the mid-session break. Wakelin tries to drain a red to right centre, but nothing doing on that occasion.
Robertson 0-2 Wakelin (107-0)
Closing rapid run of 60 to finalise the third frame. Dominant performance in the third frame. Back to 2-1 behind.
Robertson 0-2 Wakelin (75-0)
Tough old frame, but Robbo will be relieved to win it as he gets his account for this year's event up and running.
Robertson 0-2 Wakelin (47-0)
A commanding lead in this frame, but could quickly alter if Wakelin gets next chance with plenty of reds in the open. Two reds left over the yellow bag in baulk. Wakelin lines to nudge red in off a pot to right centre. Can't get right angle, doesn't drop and that is surely going to cost him the frame.
Robertson 0-2 Wakelin (26-0)
Was far from an easy chance for Robbo, and he is forced to declare on only 26. Runs safe off pink back to the baulk end.
Robertson 0-2 Wakelin (19-0)
Black out of commission, so not an easy table for Robertson to attack. Picks out a brilliant red to right centre to continue break. Excellent from the Aussie.
Robertson 0-2 Wakelin (7-0)
Wakelin with an audacious attempt at a red. Pushing the boat. But red doesn't drop, and he ends up leaving another easy starter for Robbo with red to green pocket a given.
Williams 1-0 Wu
Break of 57 from the three-time world champion, who leads 1-0 on the other main table at the Crucible this opening Saturday afternoon.
Robertson 0-1 Wakelin (13-75)
The Chris Wakelin show early on in this match. Looking very good out there. Hitting the white ball like a dream. 70 knock this time and it is 2-0 to the former Shoot Out winner.
Robertson 0-1 Wakelin (13-60)
Wakelin looking very good for a 2-0 lead early on. Has taken these balls superbly after the unfortunate mistake from Robertson.
Robertson 0-1 Wakelin (13-12)
Error by Wakelin early in the second frame. Sticks a red over green bag for Robbo to get started. Can he find a rapid response to the Wakelin century. Into the reds off blue, but sees a three-ball plant with the reds drop in. Another chance presented on a plate to his opponent.
Robertson 0-0 Wakelin (5-108)
A superb break of 108 from Chris Wakelin to mop up the first frame. Exceptional start to the match by the qualifier.
Robertson 0-0 Wakelin (5-87)
Every chance for Chris to open up his campaign with a ton. Very, very impressive start to any match, but especially one of this magnitude.
Robertson 0-0 Wakelin (5-52)
Very nice few cannons being played by Chris to bring out a few more reds. Golden chance to put away this first frame of the day. Nine to be played in this first session.
Robertson 0-0 Wakelin (5-48)
Wakelin looking very comfortable with his surroundings so far as break reaches 40 with minimal fuss. Seven reds left in the cluster. Split on pack key to winning frame at this visit.
Robertson 0-0 Wakelin (5-10)
Very decent safety shot by Wakelin provides him with chance to get hand on table to score a few points. Decent chance to discover what the pace of the table is like at this visit.
Robertson 0-0 Wakelin (5-0)
Off we go then with the second session of this year's event. Robbo with a stonking good long red before the roll up behind the yellow follows. Start as you mean to go on.
- - -
Kyren Wilson made a sluggish start to his World Championship title defence on Saturday morning in Sheffield before reeling off six straight frames from 0-2 behind to lead Lei Peifan 6-3 after the first session.
Wilson missed several easy balls as Scottish Open holder Lei produced 58 in the first frame and dominated the second on his way to a surprise early advantage.
But he could not build on his promising position of authority as a faltering Lei enabled Wilson to respond with runs of 82, 66, 82 and 136 leaving him requiring four more frames to reach the last 16 when they resume at 7pm.
Wilson is bidding to end the 'Crucible Curse' by becoming the first maiden world champion to successfully defend the title.
Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong is also well placed to advance after rolling in two centuries in leading Matthew Selt 7-2.
Selt made 106 and 131 in winning his two frames of the contest, but Xiao led from the outset as 69, 120, 73, 109 and 57 saw him open up a five-frame advantage before they conclude at 10am on Sunday morning.
Today's schedule
(All UK times)
10:00
Kyren Wilson 6-3 Lei Peifan
Xiao Guodong 7-2 Matthew Selt
14:30
Neil Robertson 1-2 Chris Wakelin
Mark Williams 2-0 Wu Yize
19:00
Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei
Kyren Wilson v Lei Peifan
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-dc1bcdcd-fd27-4af9-a96f-133909cf4dfa-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Wilson caps off 136 clearance with cheeky no-look black to take comfortable lead
Video credit: TNT Sports
Xiao 7-2 Selt
Looks like Xiao will be heading through to the last 16 unless there is a dramatic change in the narrative. Two centuries from Selt in the frames he won yet still ends the session 7-2 adrift. 57 from Xiao to finish off after earlier knocks of 69, 120, 73 and 109.
Xiao 6-2 Selt
61-0 to Xiao in moving 6-2 clear and he is on a break of 57 as he bids to move five clear before they play to a finish on Sunday morning at 10am.
Xiao 5-2 Selt
Selt with a superb break of 131 in the seventh frame to close to 5-2 behind. Two more frames to come in this session.
Latest: Wilson 6-3 Lei
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-bb468145-4d41-4da4-a3d8-dadb6863cfe9-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'That's the Crucible, Kyren' - Shake of the head as Wilson struggles for space to shoot
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wilson 6-2 Lei (45-64)
Chance then for Lei to steal the frame after Lei forces the error from the safety shot, but he overcooks the white from blue. Pressure on the pink, but he slides in the pink to end his six-frame losing run. Wilson with a 6-3 lead before they play to a finish this evening from 7pm.
Wilson 6-2 Lei (45-41)
Down to the final two reds then for Kyren. Brings a red off side rail before drilling it into the yellow pocket. But misses pink off spot. Easy snooker for Lei to lay, but Kyren with the escape. And doesn't stick final red up.
Xiao 5-1 Selt
109 from Xiao in the sixth frame for a 5-1 advantage on the other table. Selt in a spot of bother.
Wilson 6-2 Lei (15-41)
Story of the day so far as a blue to right middle stays out, and Kyren is left with another easy starter to launch the offensive. Lei will already be fearing the worst.
Wilson 6-2 Lei (0-7)
Lei looking a bit disillusioned with his lot. Little wonder, but handed an early chance as Kyren can't drop in a red across the table. Big chance again for Lei to get started. Surely has to come up with something here.
Wilson 5-2 Lei (136-0)
Brilliant 136 from Kyren Wilson and that is a quality total clearance from the world champion. Six straight frames reeled off with one more to come in the session.
Wilson 5-2 Lei (102-0)
Highest break of the match so far. In goes black as break hits 101. A big round of applause from the Crucible crowd. And the final red down cushion disappears.
Wilson 5-2 Lei (71-0)
Going through these balls like a hot knife through butter. Heading for the first century of the match here too. Excellent stuff here. Racing around the table.
Wilson 5-2 Lei (37-0)
This is looking much more like Wilson, who has won four major titles this season and is warming to the conditions and the table. Lei forced to sit and suffer. Lonely place to be.
Wilson 5-2 Lei (14-0)
Kyren with an excellent red to the yellow pocket before a pink to the right middle is canned. Lei getting used to his sitting in his seat in this session. Two more frames to come. Kyren would like to push on here.
Wilson 4-2 Lei (82-43)
All business from Kyren. Lei full of mistakes and miscalculations at the wrong time in this match. An 82 break to the black from Wilson, and he is halfway to the second round. He is 5-2 ahead of the Scottish Open champion.
Wilson 4-2 Lei (43-43)
Kyren could be securing a lead in this contest. Reaches 43 with two reds to come, and they are out in the open. This is going to hurt his opponent. No doubt.
Wilson 4-2 Lei (5-43)
Lei quickly moves to 43, but once again reds don't open off black. Tough cut on a red to right middle, and it doesn't drop. 43 is not going to disrupt his opponent. Wilson responds with a red and ends up knocking brown over right middle.
Wilson 4-2 Lei (0-12)
Wilson goes for a long red. Nowhere near the pot from distance and leaves Lei an easy starter. Vital that he starts scoring in this match, you would suggest. 58 his highest break of the match so far. Which is far from prolific in the modern game.
Wilson 3-2 Lei (73-4)
Lei with a fine red to a centre pocket in response, but can't land on black seconds later off a red. Thin cutback black doesn't drop and white flies into the middle bag. Lei has seen enough. It is now a 4-2 lead for Kyren.
Wilson 3-2 Lei (66-0)
Well, another red eludes Kyren as a red to right middle stays out. 66 then. Almost over the line, but not quite. Lei looking to bring more reds into play at first opportunity.
Wilson 3-2 Lei (43-0)
Kyren surely growing in confidence in this match. Not really been punished by Lei since the second frame. Obvious opportunity to weight in with another telling contribution.
Wilson 3-2 Lei (6-0)
Wilson not finding his A game this morning, but his B game seems strong enough so far. Back among the balls with first punch to score in this sixth frame.
Xiao 3-1 Selt
73 from Xiao to move 3-0 ahead, but a lovely 106 in response from Selt to close to 3-1 behind. That will make him feel better.
Wilson 2-2 Lei (58-21)
33 from Kyren, but he misses a black off the spot. That was a frame-ball black too. Is there another twist in this frame? Lei misses a tricky red down rail and that will surely cost him the frame. Kyren slams home red and black combo. And that will be enough to see out the frame. He moves 3-2 ahead in race to 10. Neither man in top gear, but the world champion leads.
Wilson 2-2 Lei (35-21)
Another poor shot by Lei in trying to run safe and ends up sticking up another easy starter for Kyren. Which is not what the doctor ordered. Kyren growing in confidence as he punches in a mid-range red before coming back up for the blue.
Wilson 2-2 Lei (14-21)
Lei misses a pink to the left middle trying to generate some pace on the white. That will disappoint him. Kyren handed a reprieve.
Wilson 2-2 Lei (0-5)
Another five frames are scheduled in this morning session. Both men will be looking to build a lead before they play to a finish this evening. Lei pops in a long red straight off bat in fifth frame. Looking to regroup out there.
Xiao 3-0 Selt
Xiao holding a 3-0 lead and apparently all the aces on the other main table this morning. Looking very sharp against Selt, who battled through qualifying with a 10-9 win over Jimmy Robertson.
Wilson 1-2 Lei (78-0)
32 from Kyren to finish off the fourth frame. He is back on level terms at 2-2. Which will make him feel a bit better about his lot.
Wilson 1-2 Lei (47-0)
Lei well off the potting angle from distance and Kyren is quickly off his chair to drop in a long red. Chance then to put frame to bed at second time of asking.
Wilson 1-2 Lei (46-0)
Kyren forced to drop in a tough cut on a black using the rest, but loses the white ball trying to land on next red and is forced to run safe. 45 break, but far from the winning line in this fourth frame.
Wilson 1-2 Lei (22-0)
Another early chance in this frame for Kyren to make some progress. Would dearly love to level this match up at 2-2 heading for a cup of tea. Lei failing to put away a longish red, and may well be punished. Kyren looking to cash in heavily after that 82 in the third frame.
Wilson 1-2 Lei (1-0)
Great long red by Kyren before he sticks the white to the baulk cushion off the yellow. Lei in a spot of bother. Comes up with a containing safety with the dump shot.
Xiao 2-0 Selt
A fast start to the day by Xiao, who has made breaks of 69 and 120 on the other main table to move two ahead of Selt. On a break of 56 in the third frame. Looks like that could be going 3-0.
Wilson 0-2 Lei (82-0)
Misses a red using the rest, but no damage done. 82 break sees him half the deficit to 2-1. One more frame to come before the interval.
Wilson 0-2 Lei (69-0)
Much more like the world champion performance from Kyren. Chance to perhaps put away a century break too here. Which would be just the job to get his campaign up and running.
Wilson 0-2 Lei (36-0)
A red to left middle wipes its feet before dropping down the pocket. Very decent chance here for Kyren to put this frame away in one hit. Which would be ideal after the trials and tribulations of the false start in frames one and two.
Wilson 0-2 Lei (13-0)
Nice opening red by Kyren this time. Looking to get himself moving here. Shock to the system those first two frames. Sluggish start to his title defence, but two more frames to come before the mid-session interval.
Wilson 0-1 Lei (12-71)
A nice little cameo knock of 38 from Lei to finish off the second frame. Kyren yet to get started this morning. And he heads out of the arena for a comfort break. Perhaps to waken himself up.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/19/image-a5d21359-b080-4ed9-b574-031975cd48e8-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'No one saw that coming!' - Nightmare start to Lei's Crucible debut with horror break-off shot
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wilson 0-1 Lei (12-40)
But Kyren then misses black off the spot. Bad miss again from the world champion. Won't settle him down these misses early on. Chance for Lei to take this second frame.
Wilson 0-1 Lei (11-33)
Lei with a fine recovery pot on a red to left centre. Down for the baulk colours before dropping in yellow. Certainly looking full of good intentions out there. Opts to play a gentle shot into reds. Doesn't get split, and goes in off to right middle. Kyren misses a double on red seconds later. But Lei does likewise with his double attempt on a red. Percentage shots being given short shrift.
Wilson 0-1 Lei (1-15)
Kyren yet to truly settle out there you suspect as he cans a nice long red, but misses a sitter of a black. Didn't see that coming. Yet to settle out there. Lei with chance to build a lead in second frame.
Wilson 0-0 Lei (32-70)
Wilson with 26 in response to the final two reds. Goes for the double on red, but nothing doing and Lei has chance to see out this first frame of nine in the session. In goes red he needs to seal the deal for the first frame. Kyren has seen enough. Lei with a 1-0 lead.
Wilson 0-0 Lei (11-58)
Lei can't bang home a long ranger seconds later as Kyren is handed chance to launch the counter puncher.
Wilson 0-0 Lei (5-58)
This has been a very accomplished start by Lei. No messing about, and clearly has his eye in too early on with a few mid-range efforts being drained. Tries to open reds off the black, but ends up sticking in the pack. Just the safety to follow after a knock of 58. Decent visit, but no frame-winning compilation.
Wilson 0-0 Lei (5-13)
Off we go then. Early foul by Lei on blue, but Kyren can't bag a mid-range red and Lei cans a corker down a side rail. Chance then for the Scottish Open champion to get hand on table to compile a few points.
Wilson 0-0 Lei (0-0)
Almost ready to go then on this opening morning. A full house inside the Crucible for the first day. Could be quite the day ahead.
O'Sullivan v Carter the headline act in the first round
The draw for the first round of the 49th World Championship at the Crucible provided Ronnie O'Sullivan with the perfect motivation to end his three-month absence from the sport. O'Sullivan last played competitively in January, but has been handed a classic grudge match with old Essex foe Ali Carter in the first round. The snooker GOAT has told TNT Sports why he has decided to return.
Read more here:
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/03/4116009-83457833-2560-1440.jpg)
'These three players could be the next O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Can Wilson crack the Crucible Curse?
The Crucible Curse has claimed countless victims since John Spencer crashed out in the first round of the 1978 World Championship. Kyren Wilson is determined to keep his name firmly off the Curse's kill list, but can he outrun history? David Hendon follows the trail of destruction left by the mysterious record haunting first-time champions to see whether the current holder has any chance.
Read more here:
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/05/06/3963297-80460653-2560-1440.jpg)
'Tears are flowing!' - Wilson clinches Crucible glory with emotional celebrations
Video credit: TNT Sports
Welcome to the opening day
The 49th World Championship in Sheffield is about to get up and running. World champion Kyren Wilson is in action against Scottish Open holder Lei Peifan on the first morning of the sport's biggest event.
Xiao Guodong is up against Matthew Selt on the other main table. Boys on the baize at back of 10.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/15/4119192-83521493-2560-1440.jpg)
'It needs to change' - Wilson unhappy with replica World Championship trophy
Video credit: TNT Sports
Today's schedule
(All UK times)
10:00
Kyren Wilson 6-3 Lei Peifan
Xiao Guodong 6-2 Matthew Selt
14:30
Neil Robertson v Chris Wakelin
Mark Williams v Wu Yize
19:00
Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei
Kyren Wilson v Lei Peifan
- - -
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+.
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement