An extraordinary opening round has set up a series of huge clashes as the Halo World Championship moves into it's second round at the Crucible Theatre. A record-equaling 15 of the 16 seeds won in the first round this year, leaving the chance still open for the top two seeded players to meet in the final for the first time since 1987!
Among the standout performances in the first round, Ronnie O'Sullivan fired in three centuries during a commanding 10–2 victory over He Guoqiang, setting up a blockbuster showdown with John Higgins 7pm this Saturday, 25 April.
The only player that came through qualifying to still be in the competition is world number 32 Hossein Vafaei of Iran, after he defeated China's Si Jiahui 10–3 yesterday.
Shaun Murphy escaped a major Crucible shock, producing a magnificent clearance in the deciding frame to edge past Fan Zhengyi 10–9. That victory has set up a fascinating battle of styles with Xiao Guodong, which got underway yesterday, with the first of 3 sessions.
Elsewhere, Neil Robertson overcame a nervy start before pulling away from 5–5 to defeat Pang Junxu 10–6 in a tough opening test. The Australian reaches the second round at the Crucible for the 15th time and now takes on Chris Wakelin in a best-of-25 clash starting 10am Saturday, 25 April.
With long-term rivalries facing down, reputations to be proved and a place in the quarter-finals at stake, the stage is set for another incredible chapter at the Crucible. Check out the full draw and match schedule below or book tickets.
