World Championship 2025: There are better potters than Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams, but no better players - Alan McManus

Ronnie O'Sullivan is two wins away from an eighth world title, despite only just returning to the sport from four months out. He is facing Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals and Alan McManus feels 'the Rocket' can continue at the top of the sport for years to come. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

There are better ball potters than Class of '92 legends Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams, but there are no better snooker players - that is the opinion of TNT Sports expert Alan McManus.

O’Sullivan booked his place in the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship for the 14th time in his career when edging past Si Jiahui.

Williams got the better of Higgins in a Crucible epic, meaning two players who turned professional in 1992 are two wins away from world title glory.

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Williams is up against Judd Trump, the runaway world No. 1 who has had a stellar time in 2024/25.

Facing O’Sullivan is Zhao Xintong, who Alan McManus said earlier in the tournament is the best long-ball potter the game has ever seen.

Potting balls is an important aspect of the sport, but O’Sullivan, Williams and Higgins have demonstrated for over 30 years that they have all-round excellence.

'It's there' - Zhao keeps beak going with deft pot of a red

Video credit: TNT Sports

"The reason they are the best and still the best is that there are tons of players around who can pot balls better than them, but they can’t play snooker better than them," McManus said in the TNT Sports studio ahead of the semi-finals. 

McManus feels their all-round excellence is why the trio can continue to compete at the top of the sport for years to come.

"That [snooker ability] is the reason they are here, and they are here to stay for as long as they want to be," McManus said.

• Why O'Sullivan showed in one shot 'he is the best player we have ever seen'
• O’Sullivan produces head-scratching performance in win over Si

Trump has assumed the mantle of bookmakers’ favourite, and Reanne Evans feels that is correct.

"Ronnie and Williams, you never know when they will turn up, but Judd is a clear favourite and he should be," said the 12-time women’s world champion.

Zhao is the fourth player in the semi-finals, and was strongly fancied before the tournament. Jimmy White feels the Chinese sensation has all the tools to secure the title.

"It is a big occasion for him, but every now and again in sport, someone special comes along, like Luke Littler in darts," White said. "He is the real thing. 

"Everyone wants to watch him play and when he is on form, there is not a lot you can do about it.

"Him playing the best player in the world, what a great experience for him. He's just got to hope he can stay with O’Sullivan."

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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

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