Crucible Clash Ignites: O’Sullivan and Zhao Deadlocked in Thrilling Semi-Final Showdown

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and China’s Zhao Xintong are locked at 4-4 after a gripping first session of their World Championship semi-final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The best-of-33 frame showdown, scheduled over four sessions, lived up to expectations with a display of skill, resilience, and mutual respect.

Zhao, 28, showed remarkable composure on his debut at this stage of the tournament, racing to a 2-0 lead with clinical breaks of 60 and 62. Playing as an amateur, Zhao displayed none of the nerves one might expect from a first-time semi-finalist. His confident start underscored the form that has seen him win 45 of his last 47 matches.

O’Sullivan, appearing in his 14th Crucible semi-final, responded in typically imperious fashion. The 49-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest snooker player of all time, found his rhythm with three consecutive half-century breaks to overturn the deficit and move 3-2 ahead. What followed was a compelling exchange of frames, with Zhao producing an impressive 86 break to square the match before the close of the session.

Despite his legendary status, O’Sullivan has arrived in Sheffield under a cloud of uncertainty. He hasn’t played competitively since January, when he smashed his cue in frustration during the Championship League. He openly admitted after his 13-9 quarter-final win over Si Jiahui that he’s only reached this stage due to his opponents’ errors, rather than his own top form.

Zhao’s journey to the semi-final is particularly notable. Once a rising star on the professional tour, he was suspended for 20 months due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Though he didn’t fix matches himself, he admitted to betting and to being involved in another player’s wrongdoing. Having lost his professional status as a result, Zhao now competes as an amateur but has already secured his return to the professional circuit for the next season.

The match resumes Friday at 10:00 BST. Meanwhile, three-time world champion Mark Williams takes on 2019 winner Judd Trump in the other semi-final, which begins later tonight.