Ronnie O’Sullivan continues his quest for a history-making eighth world title against Si Jiahui while John Higgins and Mark Williams play to a finish in their quarter-final
Ronnie O’Sullivan is already in control of his record-extending 23rd World Snooker Championship quarter-final against Si Jiahui as ‘The Rocket’ continues his bid for a history-making eighth world title.
O’Sullivan wasted little time in securing a routine 13-4 win over Pang Junxu in the second round at the Crucible Theatre and now leads talented youngster Si, who shockingly made the semi-finals here in 2023 at the age of just 20, 6-2 after their first session on Tuesday afternoon.
Now 22, the Chinese star has established himself in the top 16 but a best-of-25 clash against the greatest snooker player of all time still represents a huge challenge for the fearless potter and any errors during the first eight frames were punished by a ruthless O’Sullivan, who will look to break the back of the best-of-25 contest when the second session resumes this morning.
Wednesday’s 10am session will also feature O’Sullivan’s fellow ‘Class of 92’ veterans John Higgins and Mark Williams playing to a finish in their quarter-final. The pair were locked at 8-8 following an intriguing first two sessions, with 13 frames the target for victory.
John Higgins 11-12 Mark Williams
Higgins has completely turned this match around. Picks out a red to get another break started and he gets his scoring boots on.
Smashes into the pack when he reaches 40 and the reds split nicely. It’s a golden chance to win the frame now.
John Higgins 11-12 Mark Williams - HIGGINS WINS FRAME 23
Simply superb by Higgins. Clears the table up to the black with a sublime century and John Higgins wins frame 23 in style with a break of 114. It’s 12-11, it’s game on between these two legends!
John Higgins 10-12 Mark Williams
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re officially in a match. John Higgins has been a different animal since the interval - the defeat line being so close has inspired him.
Williams fouled when stretching over the blug, nudging it with his hand and that gave Higgins his opportunity. He’s giving every shot due care and attention but a great split of the reds off multiple cushions make this a great chance. His leads in the frame moves beyond 30 points.
John Higgins 10-12 Mark Williams - WILLIAMS WINS FRAME 22
I guess it was never going to be easy for Williams. On the brink of defeat, Higgins has come out fighting.
An impressive 94 breaks gives John Higgins a second frame in a row and he trails 12-10.
Win the next, get it to 12-11 and suddenly we’ve got ourselves a match. Can Williams somehow find a way to get over the line?
Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-6 Si Jiahui - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME 16
O’Sullivan looks confident, striding round the table and there’s never any doubt. The cueball control is immaculate and he will take this frame.
Ronnie O’Sullivan wins frame 16 with a break of 64 and he’ll lead 10-6 at the end of the session, needing just three frames for victory this evening.
John Higgins 9-12 Mark Williams
Here’s Higgins’s chance in frame 22. A good scoring opportunity at the business end of the table although he’ll need to go into the pack at some point.
That moment could define the frame
Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-6 Si Jiahui
Si breaks down when he reaches 29 points in the frame and now O’Sullivan is back in with a chance to do some damage. These are the sort of situations he normally thrives in.
John Higgins 9-12 Mark Williams
Higgins breaks off and leaves Williams a long red which he duly smashes in. Nice pot. The break quickly breaks down though, so just the 8 points for the Welshman.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-6 Si Jiahui
O’Sullivan goes into the pack of reds but the split isn’t great. He then tries a reckless double to the right middle and misses it - that should embolden Si. The Rocket losing patience slightly as we enter the final frame of the session.
Someway, somehow the Chinese cueman has to find a way to win this fame. He pulls out a spectacular pot to right middle to get a chance. Can Si get the job done?
.jpg)
0 Nhận xét