World Snooker Championship LIVE: Scores and updates as Trump and O’Sullivan in quarter-final action

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bid to claim a record eight World Snooker Championship crown continues as the 48-year-old completed the first session of his best-of-25 clash with Stuart Bingham for a place in the semi-finals.

O’Sullivan defeated Ryan Day 13-7 in the second round on Monday before revealing that “intermittent fasting” was playing a key role in his Crucible bid and giving him energy for the 17-day marathon in Sheffield.

The seven-time champion fought back from 3-1 down against 2015 winner Bingham this afternoon and ended things on level terms at 4-4. It is a similar position that world No 2 Judd Trump finds himself in against scrappy Welshman Jak Jones after their opening two sessions finished dead level, meaning they will finish their race to 13 frames on Wednesday morning. locked at 8-8.

Last night, John Higgins won a thriller with Mark Allen to book his place in the quarter-finals. Higgins trailed for much of the match but managed to hang on and force a deciding frame, where he produced a stunning clearance – sparked by a do-or-die doubled red across the table – to edge out Allen and take the win. The consequences of that win seemed to be on display in the quarter-finals this afternoon as Kyren Wilson swept the first half of the opening session 4-0 but Higgins responded with two strong century breaks and heads into tomorrow’s play only trailing 5-3.

Follow all the action from the World Snooker Championship below.

World Snooker Championship 2024: Latest scores and updates

• World Snooker Championship quarter-finals underway at Crucible

• Judd Trump in a battle with Jak Jones at 8-8 heading into the final session tomorrow

• Ronnie O’Sullivan fights back against Stuart Bingham and draws level at 4-4 ahead of tomorrow’s play

• Kyren Wilson leads John Higgins 5-3 in their quarter-final

• Latest score (best of 25): Judd Trump 8-8 Jak Jones

• Latest score (best of 25): David Gilbert 10-6 Stephen Maguire

FRAME! Judd Trump 8-8 Jak Jones

22:56 , Luke Baker

Lovely stuff from Jones as he keeps his composure to pot the final few reds and colours he needs to move to snookers required. And he then completes the century break with a 117 clearance to pink - superb!

JAK JONES LEVELS THE MATCH AT 8-8 - PERFECTLY POISED FOR THEIR FINAL SESSION AT 10AM TOMORROW.

Judd Trump 8-7 Jak Jones

22:51 , Luke Baker

At 42 points ahead, Jones powers a pink into the left corner and frees a couple of reds from the main cluster. But he’s only left with a tricky red along the bottom cushion. He’s got it! Great pot and nicely on the black.

The lead moves towards 60 points and he’s only a few pots away now.

Judd Trump 8-7 Jak Jones

22:49 , Luke Baker

When he reaches 31 points, Jones is left with a really thin black but it finds the heart of the pocket! He’s battling the cueball in this break but still hanging in there as he passes 40 points

Judd Trump 8-7 Jak Jones

22:47 , Luke Baker

Trump goes for a dead straight long red into the left corner but it clatters into the right jaw and stays out. Reds cannoned around and it leaves Jones a cut into the right corner, which he nails.

Jones is a gutsy, gutsy player for sure. Can he make a frame-winning contribution here and head into the final session all level?

Judd Trump 8-7 Jak Jones

22:45 , Luke Baker

One more frame this evening and Jak Jones begins it by floating a long red into the right corner. Stunning pot. But then he rolls the black in, clips another red and is thrown out of position.

Just 8 points from that superb opening red. He looks frustrated with himself.

FRAME! Judd Trump 8-7 Jak Jones

22:42 , Luke Baker

Again, it took a couple of visits but Judd Trump has ground out another frame and he moves 8-7 ahead - his first lead since 1-0 in this match. Great patience by Trump in this match to grind it out and we’ve got a big final frame of the session ahead of us.

Judd Trump 7-7 Jak Jones

22:41 , Luke Baker

Nice pot with the rest from Trump to cut in a red and he then tidies up the final few pots he needs to leave Jones needing snookers.

Judd Trump 7-7 Jak Jones

22:39 , Luke Baker

Jones is back from his comfort break, ready to engage in a bout of safety, but it’s Trump who carves out the first opportunity and cuts in a long red to the right corner. He can wrap the frame up here with a few more points, as he already has a 50-8 lead.

Judd Trump 7-7 Jak Jones

22:34 , Luke Baker

Another lovely cut into the corner by Trump - he’s pulling out a string of good pots. OOH THAT WAS CLOSE! A red wipes its feet, rattling in the jaws of the right corner before just dropping in.

But eventually his luck runs out. Another tough pot, a thin cut to the left corner which misses and he leaves the table at 49-8 ahead. In control of the frame but not over the line yet.

And Jak Jones has taken a mid-frame toilet break. It has been slow going to be fair.

Judd Trump 7-7 Jak Jones

22:29 , Luke Baker

Trump given half a chance when Jones messes up a safety and leaves the white embedded in the pack of reds. Judd pots a tricky black from close range and then cuts in a long red to the green pocket. Hard work at the start of this break but he’s still in control of the table.

Judd Trump 7-7 Jak Jones

22:27 , Luke Baker

Most of the reds are in a cluster in the centre of the table, so Trump needs to smash into them fairly early in the break. He does so when 10-8 ahead, while potting the blue. It doesn’t really work out and he’s left with no feasible pot on.

So just a safety with a 15-8 lead for Trump.

Judd Trump 7-7 Jak Jones

22:25 , Luke Baker

WOW! What a pot by Jak Jones early in frame 15! He rolls a red from all the way down the bottom end of the table up into the yellow pocket to get a break started. After a well-taken black, he then tries the same tricka gain with another red but this rattles both jaws and stays out.

Trump now back at the table and will try to build a lead in the frame.

FRAME! Judd Trump 7-7 Jak Jones

22:17 , Luke Baker

Judd Trump levels the match back up at 7-7 by winning frame 14 with a break of 68. Two more frames to play this evening.

Judd Trump 6-7 Jak Jones

22:17 , Luke Baker

This has been a gritty break from Judd Trump - it hasn’t been straightforward but he’s knuckled down to the task at hand. He pots the penultimate red with a blue and that leaves Jones needing snookers at 39 points behind with 35 remaining.

Judd Trump 6-7 Jak Jones

22:16 , Luke Baker

With the break on 40, Trump pots a red to right corner and cannons a pair of reds together in the middle of the table, while staying on the black. Sublime little shot and he should win the frame from here now.

Judd Trump 6-7 Jak Jones

22:14 , Luke Baker

Trump back in among the balls when Jones leaves him a pot on a red. But he’s not really in stroke and it feels like every shot is awkward for him at the moment. Pulls out a good pot on a red to right middle and then cuts in the black to draw level in the frame.

Ticking along and needs another five reds and colours to get over the line. He shouldn’t need the awkward red on the side cushion.

Judd Trump 6-7 Jak Jones

22:10 , Luke Baker

But Trump makes a complete mess of the chance! Tries a thin cut ont he pink to right middle, overcuts it and the white goes into the green pocket for good measure! Just one point for him at that visit. 23-1 to Jones now.

Judd Trump 6-7 Jak Jones

22:09 , Luke Baker

Jones is cruising along but then misses a pink to right middle! Hits the right jaw, left jaw, then right again and stays out. He droops his head in disappointment. Leads 17-1 in the frame but Trump with a glorious chance right in among the balls now.

Judd Trump 6-7 Jak Jones

22:08 , Luke Baker

A really high-quality safety battle before Jones pulls out a lovely long red to the left corner. Left with a tricky long blue up into the green pocket but nails it! Right in the heart of the pocket - superb cueing.

This is a decent chance for the Welshman to make a big contribution now with the table well set.

Judd Trump 6-7 Jak Jones

22:00 , Luke Baker

Trump flukes a red to the middle pocket early in frame 14 but is snookered on the black so has to try and play up to snooker Jones behind the green. He leaves the cueball just short so gives away four points and will now play from the tricky position himself.

David Gilbert 10-6 Stephen Maguire

21:56 , Luke Baker

A good second session in the end for Stephen Maguire - he just about salvages his chances in the match by winning it 5-3 to trail 10-6 overall. Gilbert only needs three more frames but if Maguire gets off to a fast start when they resume at 2.30pm tomorrow, he may still have a chance.

Important for the Scot that he won the final frame of the evening.

FRAME! Judd Trump 6-7 Jak Jones

21:53 , Luke Baker

Trump leaves a black over the pocket and that’s another frame for Jak Jones. He’s now 7-6 ahead - Judd Trump simply can’t shake the underdog off.

Judd Trump 6-6 Jak Jones

21:50 , Luke Baker

This has been great stuff from Jones and he moves 62-12 ahead, leaving Trump needing two snookers. Judd will return to the table to try and get them but Jones should be moving 7-6 ahead here.

Judd Trump 6-6 Jak Jones

21:46 , Luke Baker

Jones gets himself back in and sets about making a break. Some tricky pots as it’s a slightly awkward table but he builds the advantage to 35-12. He’s looking determined here.

Judd Trump 6-6 Jak Jones

21:39 , Luke Baker

Jones makes a mess of the safety as the white rolls into the corner pocket off the pack of reds and Trump crunches in another long red in response. This time he lands nicely on the blue and can build a lead.

But no! Pots the pink, tries to split the reds and one runs into the corner pocket for a six-point foul! Jones back at the table trailing 12-6

Judd Trump 6-6 Jak Jones

21:36 , Luke Baker

Trump and Jones are back up and running. And Trump pulls out a nice long pot on a red to get him going. No colour to follow though, so just a safety.

David Gilbert 10-5 Stephen Maguire

21:34 , Luke Baker

It’s been much quicker sailing on the other table and although Stephen Maguire closed the gap to 9-5, Dave Gilbert has just taken frame 15 to move 10-5 ahead. A huge final frame of the evening coming up. If Maguire wins it, then he’s still alive at 10-6 down (in a race to 13, remember) but 11-5 would surely be curtains.

FRAME AND MID-SESSION INTERVAL! Judd Trump 6-6 Jak Jones

21:16 , Luke Baker

A big frame for Trump as he makes it 6-6 at the mid-session interval. He looked in trouble at 6-4 behind but has hit back superbly!

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

21:15 , Luke Baker

Jones decides to pot the last red with a pink and then the yellow as well, so he’ll look for the one snooker he needs on the green. Trump leads 55-28 with 25 points remaining. Jones misses the chance for the snooker as he fails to hide the cueball behind the brown.

And Trump cuts the green in, so he’ll win this frame!

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

21:11 , Luke Baker

Ah, not for long... Jones misses the cut himself and the red goes over the green pocket for Trump to pot. He then pots the blue to leave Jones needing snookers with Trump 36 points ahead at 55-19 and only 35 available.

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

21:10 , Luke Baker

Trump gets close to the finish line but he misses a red when stretching across the table, trying to cut it into the top corner pocket. Trump leads 49-19 with two reds left (one of which is tied to the left cushion) so not easy for Jones but he’s still alive in this frame.

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

21:08 , Luke Baker

Trump is looking tidy here, starting to get into his break-building rhythm after those scrappy frames to start this evening. But he tries a cannon on two reds in the centre of the table and it goes slightly wrong.

He’s left with a tricky cut on the yellow (on the black spot) to the left corner. He makes it! And is back in good position. A few yellows mean the scoring hasn’t been great, so he’s potted a lot of balls but the break is only on 40 with three reds left.

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

21:05 , Luke Baker

Bit of a rarity as the black ends up on the yellow spot and the yellow on the black spot. Not ideal for scoring! Trump takes some reds with blues and pinks though, so he eradicates Jones’s small lead and starts building one of his own.

The break moves beyond 30 taking reds still in the open - a couple are tied up near cushions to worry about later on.

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

21:03 , Luke Baker

Jones was in trouble from the Trump safety shot and feels the only shot he has is an attempted pot down the left rail. High-tariff and it rattles out. Trump has a straight pot to the left corner and this is a golden opportunity to score some big points.

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

21:01 , Luke Baker

Jones can only take the lead to 19-0 as he runs out of position and rolls behind the yellow. Good return of safety from Trump though.

On the other table, Maguire has won the first frame after the interval to narrow his deficit to 9-4 and ensure the match won’t finish with a session to spare.

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

20:58 , Luke Baker

Trump gives away four penalty points when he hits the pink after being in a snooker. But both men are missing pots now. Jones sees a three-ball plant drift to the far jaw and Trump then rattles a red with the rest.

But Jones finds a cut to right middle, so he’s back at the table with a chance to build a lead.

Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

20:54 , Luke Baker

Frame 12 - the final one before the mid-session interval. And an early mistake from Trump as he leaves Jones a pot into the corner. However, the Welshman can only make 8 before missing a tricky red to the left corner, bridging over the pack.

He gets luck though as the black runs safe and he doesn’t leave a pottable red on.

FRAME! Judd Trump 5-6 Jak Jones

20:49 , Luke Baker

Good, gutsy stuff from Trump there. Took three visits, with the final one being a break of 32, but he wins frame 11 to narrow his deficit to a single frame at 6-5. A good response after losing that marathon last frame.

Judd Trump 4-6 Jak Jones

20:48 , Luke Baker

Trump looking to finally get this frame won. The table has never been easy for him but he’s knuckled down and made some good pots. Pulls out a nice pink to left middle and his lead is beyond 50 points now.

He should get it won from here.

Judd Trump 4-6 Jak Jones

20:46 , Luke Baker

Trump could do with winning this frame quickly and making a nice, confidence-building break. He’s having to move the cueball up to the baulk end for the moment but pots the blue into the green pocket to get it back on its spot.

Lands awkwardly on the next red though... The run of the balls not going for him at the moment. Has to play safe off a red after a break of 11 - he leads 34-0 but Jones has a look at a long red. He misses the pot and the red cannons the pink back into play. Trump has a tricky cut on a red to get back in and he makes it. Another chance for the 2019 champion.

Judd Trump 4-6 Jak Jones

20:43 , Luke Baker

The high value colours weren’t well placed and Trump eventually runs too far out of position on 23, so tucks in behind the yellow. He was a bit unlucky that the pack didn’t split better.

But Jones is too pacey with the roll-up into the reds and Trump is back in with a red to the right corner.

Judd Trump 4-6 Jak Jones

20:42 , Luke Baker

Big shot for Trump as he decides to crash into the main pack of reds off the blue when moving the break to 17. Connects well but a bit unlucky as he’s only left with a thin cut on a red into the left middle pocket. He makes it! Great pot and cannons into the blue which stops the cueball running too far away, so he’s on the brown.

The break moves beyond 20 although blue is now off its spot and the pink and black are tied up.

Judd Trump 4-6 Jak Jones

20:40 , Luke Baker

Right, both players left the arena for a quick break after that last frame and I’m not surprised. 90-odd minutes for two frames, let’s hope they start speeding things along slightly...

That’s better from Trump! Pulls out a stunning long red and follows it up with the green. Black is out of commission and when he plays the pink, it too is spotted somewhere it can’t be potted so he’ll be using the blue for now.

Judd Trump 4-6 Jak Jones

20:36 , Luke Baker

Jones digs out a nice pot on the yellow and then tidies up green and brown as well. Misses the long blue but Trump has no interest in playing on for snookers.

A marathon, 55-minute frame but Jones comes out on top and now leads 6-4. That’s a huge blow for Trump.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:34 , Luke Baker

Four more penalty points to Jones and then finally he pots the red! Great bit of cueing from mid-range going around the brown.

Then pots brown to middle and just needs a mid-range yellow followed by green and brown to leave Trump needing a snooker...

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:30 , Luke Baker

Still fighting away on this final red - whoever pots it will likely go on to win the frame. Jones has a go into the green pocket but misses.

Trump then put in a snooker and he gives away 12 points as Jones goes back ahead 53-46 but when he does hit it, he puts his opponent back in a snooker. This is pretty compelling stuff if you’re a fan of safety play.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:21 , Luke Baker

Four more penalty points from a similar position for Trump and every time Jones comes to the table now, he’s in a snooker. We pass the 40-minute mark in this frame. Trump leads 46-41

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:18 , Luke Baker

Jones gives away four penalty points when he hits the brown while trying to swerve to hit the red and Trump then puts him in another devilish snooker but he does brilliantly to come off the top cushion and connect with the red.

Trump definitely on top in this safety exchange though and earns another four points from a snooker when Jones comes up short. Trump now leads 42-41.

MID-SESSION INTERVAL: David Gilbert 9-3 Stephen Maguire

20:15 , Luke Baker

It’s been much more free-flowing stuff on the other table and Stephan Maguire has made a century to win just his third frame of the match as he trails 9-3 at the mid-session interval.

Dave Gilbert will need to win all the remaining four frames after the interval to win with a session to spare.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:12 , Luke Baker

Was Trump going for that? He cross-doubles a red into the left corner pocket, although he had safety in mind. He’s not brilliantly on a colour and the final red is tied up near the black on the bottom cushion, so he just plays safe off the green and snookers Jones. 41-34 to the Welshman and it’s a battle on the final red again.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:11 , Luke Baker

Cracking long pot by Jones and a nice cannon. But again, it quickly goes wrong so the lead is only 41-33 with two reds left.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:08 , Luke Baker

Jones can indeed pot the red and then a black but then a poor positional shot ends his break at 8, leaving the points all square at 33-33 with four reds left on the table. Another tight frame

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:07 , Luke Baker

WOW! That’s some shot by Judd Trump. Incredibly gutsy shot as he attempts a three-ball plant tight along the bottom cushion and makes it! Roars from the crowd.

He was getting bogged down a bit and maybe that explains the super-attacking shot. It’s still a tough table though and he can only make 10 before running out of position. He leads 33-25 but Jones has a possible pot to get him started now.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

20:02 , Luke Baker

Trump gets to 23 with minimal fuss but then runs out of position, leaving himself a tricky cut red to the green pocket. Not really that close but he played to ensure the cueball was relatively safe. It’s 25-23 to Jones with seven reds still on the table.

On the other table, Dave Gilbert makes another 50+ break to move 9-2 up on Stephen Maguire, edging closer towards the finish line of 13 frames.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

19:58 , Luke Baker

Jones gets to work racking up the reds and blacks but then he misses a simple black off the spot - hits the far jaw. That’s a bad, bad miss really. A let-off for Trump as he returns to the table only 25-0 behind with plenty of reds awaiting.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

19:55 , Luke Baker

We’re approaching the 15-minute mark of this second frame and there’s still not a single ball been potted. The reds are congregating on the right this time as the table again looks awkward.

We do have some drama now though! Trump miscues the white as he digs down on it trying to screw back to baulk off a red. It leaves Jones a simple plant to get going and he has a chance to build a lead with a fair few reds available around the black spot.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

19:50 , Luke Baker

This match is turning into a bit of a grind. An extended bout of safety before Trump takes a chance on a long red up to the yellow pocket but it catches the near jaw and rattles out. Still no pot on for Jones as we stay at 0-0 in this frame

David Gilbert 8-2 Stephen Maguire

19:48 , Luke Baker

Better from Stephen Maguire on the other table. A classy break of 84 sees him win the second frame of the evening. If he can get out of this session only 10-6 behind, he’d be just about still in this match. Any wider margin than that and you fear it may be over for him.

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

19:44 , Luke Baker

Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

19:43 , Luke Baker

A 37-minute opening frame and mistakes from both men but Jones won’t care a jot as he retakes the lead.

Frame 10 underway and another bout of safety to start things off

FRAME! Judd Trump 4-5 Jak Jones

19:38 , Luke Baker

Jones lands nicely on the yellow along the top cushion and gets in good position on the green. Only needs up to and including the pink to win this frame and they’re sitting there for him.

No mistake! Jak Jones pinches the first frame of the evening with a break of 27 to win it 54-43 and take a 5-4 lead.

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:37 , Luke Baker

Mistake from Trump! Leaves Jones a pot to left middle on the red and the Welsham rolls it in. Beautiful cueing. Colours are off their spots but none are completely safe, so he can pinch this frame with a clearance.

David Gilbert 8-1 Stephen Maguire

19:36 , Luke Baker

Over on the other table, things going from bad to worse for Stephen Maguire. Both men had chances in the opening frame if the evening but a nice break from Dave Gilbert sees him nick it and he’s now 8-1 up. Five frames from victory...

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:35 , Luke Baker

Great tension in this opening frame of the second session. Neither man giving an inch in the safety battle but Trump probably just on top. Eventually he has a potting chance on the red but rattles it out of the jaws of the left corner from long range.

The red is near the middle pocket so Jones plays something of an exhibition shot, coming off the bottom cushion with the white to knock the red in but it just clips the jaw! Good effort. Still 43-27 to Trump as the battle on the final red continues.

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:30 , Luke Baker

This has been a good break by Jones in tough circumstances. He nearly develops the final red off the side cushion but he can’t quite see a potting angle, so plays safe. Actually makes a hash of the safety but gets away with it.

Trump leads 43-27 with one red left on the table. This opening frame is in the balance.

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:28 , Luke Baker

Jones tries to cannon the two reds on the cushion and makes a decent go of it but is unlucky to see one red go up into the baulk area. Pulls out a nice red to middle but this table is still looking pretty ugly.

A pink rattles both jaws but drops in! Tough pot along the bottom rail for the next red... Make it! Tries to develop another red on the side cushion but it doesn’t quite happen. Still going on this break though as he closes to within 20 points of Trump.

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:26 , Luke Baker

This is good stuff from Trump, negotiating some tricky pots but eventually he breaks down. Tries to power a black into the right corner and it rattles out!

Break ends at 35 and he leads 43-2 in the frame but Jones has a red to get him going and he can close that gap. Four more reds still on the table after that but two are tied up on the bottom cushion.

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:22 , Luke Baker

Jones puts absolutely everything behind a pot to the left corner but the red smashes off the jaws of the pocket and sends other balls careering everywhere. The cueball doesn’t get back to baulk, so Trump has a relatively nice starter red.

Table is a bit messy but Trump can build a lead here.

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:19 , Luke Baker

Bit of a fluke for Jones as a red rolls into the left corner when he plays a safety shot but doesn’t land on a colour, so just a roll-up behind the yellow. The reds have started to congregate towards the left side of the table during this safety exchange so we might not be out of this any time soon.

Currently 8-2 to Trump in the frame

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:14 , Luke Baker

Jak Jones finds an early long red but misses the black to leave Judd Trump in. Mid-range red for Trump to start and it’s not the cleanest cueing but sneaks in the side door of the pocket.

The break ends when he reaches 8 though as a cannon on the pink doesn’t come off, leaving him without a pot. We’re still at the feeling-out stage of this frame.

Evening session underway

19:08 , Luke Baker

The second session of two of the quarter-finals is about to get underway. Relentless MC Rob Walker is just introducing the players to the Crucible crowd now.

We’ll be focusing on Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones here but I’ll keep you updated on how Dave Gilbert is going as he tries to build on a 7-1 lead over Stephen Maguire on the other table as well.

Judd Trump 4-4 Jak Jones

19:00 , Luke Baker

It was tough sledding at points for Trump, who could face Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals if he wins, this morning but he battled back to tie Welshman Jak Jones - in the quarter-finals for the second straight year here - at 4-4.

Eight frames to come this evening

World Championship evening session

18:53 , Luke Baker

We’re only a few minutes away from the evening session now, where Judd Trump resumes at 4-4 against Jak Jones in their quarter-final and David Gilbert will look to finish off Stepehn Maguire as he leads 7-1. Gilbert will win with a session to spare if he takes six of tonight’s eight frames with 13 the target for victory.

Ronnie O’Sullivan: I’d walk away from snooker if I felt under-valued

18:40 , Mike Jones

Ronnie O’Sullivan declared himself open to offers amid rumours of a rival snooker tour and warned he would walk away from the sport if he believed his talent was being under-valued.

Leading players, including O’Sullivan, are understood to have been approached by Far East backers about the prospect of establishing a breakaway circuit from as early as next season.

Ronnie O’Sullivan: I’d walk away from snooker if I felt under-valued

World Snooker Championship prize fund

18:32 , Mike Jones

The World Championship is the richest prize in snooker with players sharing a total prize fund of £2,395,000. The winner will receive £500,000, with the runner-up pocketing £200,000 and the losing semi-finalists netting £100,000 each.

An additional £15,000 is available to the player who compiles the highest break (including the qualifying stage), while two maximums made across any of the three triple crown events this season will be rewarded with a £147,000 bonus.

The financial rewards of a breakaway snooker tour appeal to Ronnie O’Sullivan

18:25 , Mike Jones

Ronnie O’Sullivan joked that he would “love to see” a LIV Golf-style breakaway in snooker if someone was willing to offer him hundreds of millions of pounds, but was not interested in contributing to the noise around what a possible rival could mean for the World Snooker Tour.

Leading players, including O’Sullivan, are understood to have been approached by Far East backers about the prospect of establishing a breakaway circuit from as early as next season.

O’Sullivan has already effectively ruled himself out of any parallel tour by signing a deal to play in WST events in Saudi Arabia for the next three years.

The financial rewards of a breakaway snooker tour appeal to Ronnie O’Sullivan

What might be on the table for snooker’s future?

18:17 , Mike Jones

Who is likely to jump ship?

It’s perhaps more pertinent to point out those who won’t: O’Sullivan has effectively committed to the WST by signing up with the Saudis, while Judd Trump has dismissed the prospective rival event out of hand. Without O’Sullivan or Trump, unquestionably the sport’s two biggest stars, it is hard to see how any rival tour could carry any kind of legitimacy at all. Some players, including Kyren Wilson, have indicated their willingness to consider their options. But it would seem a remarkably self-destructive career move to quit the main tour - just as Saudi money begins to roll in - in favour of a series of glorified exhibitions on the other side of the world.

Fast forward to 2028 - what is the state of play?

Right now it’s all too easy to envisage a World Championship in Riyadh, and even the possibility of a rival event taking place in China. But one would hope the reality is rather different. Saudi involvement may not please everybody but it will probably satisfy most players’ financial demands, which in turn may make them more amenable to the idea of continuing at the Crucible. Even its biggest critics must admit that a World Championship away from its famous home would lose much of its lustre. With enough vocal backers to drown out the money men, all is not necessarily lost.

What might be on the table of snooker’s future?

18:10 , Mike Jones

Surely it’ll end up in Saudi Arabia?

The Saudis are becoming increasingly big players in snooker, having staged the World Masters of Snooker - complete with golden ball - last year, and preparing to stage the first ranking tournament in the kingdom in August. Ronnie O’Sullivan has also signed an ambassadorial deal with the Saudis. If Hearn holds true to his talk that money is all that matters, there is no doubt the Saudis carry the biggest clout of all.

Presumably the Saudis are behind this proposed rival tour?

Funnily enough, no. The Saudis have thrown their lot in with Hearn and the World Snooker Tour. The rival tour is understood to emanate from China. Exact details remain sketchy, but a number of top players have admitted having been approached. They have been offered guaranteed six-figure sums to sign up to a new circuit which would effectively preclude them from also competing on the existing tour - and thus their ability to compete in the prestigious ‘triple crown’ events.

What might be on the table for snooker’s future?

18:02 , Mike Jones

Besides Ronnie O’Sullivan’s seemingly unstoppable surge towards a record eighth title, two separate narratives have been dominating the headlines during the first week of the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield.

Comments by O’Sullivan and the sport’s predominant power-broker Barry Hearn have fuelled speculation that the tournament could be taken away from the Crucible - while in a separate development, details are emerging of a potential rival tour based in China.

Here the PA news agency takes a look at the two developing stories and what they might mean for the future of snooker.

So, is snooker leaving the Crucible?

The venue’s current deal expires in 2027 - coincidentally, its 50th anniversary of staging the World Championships. Hearn has effectively delivered an ultimatum to Sheffield City Council to improve or rebuild the venue, or see the tournament taken away. Whilst there is a growing feeling that the Crucible’s facilities and capacity are not compatible with the sport’s ambitious future plans, many maintain that such concerns are trumped by tradition.

What are the favoured options?

Money talks as far as Hearn is concerned, and he insists he would not think twice about signing a lucrative deal to stage the World Championship in Saudi Arabia or the Far East. Another mooted possibility is rotating the tournament around a series of global venues. But his comments caused a significant backlash, with former world champions Shaun Murphy and Ken Doherty calling criticism of the Crucible “sacrilege”, and insisting the tournament would lose much of its uniqueness if it was staged elsewhere.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-4 Stuart Bingham

17:55 , Mike Jones

Century! A second ton from John Higgins ends the afternoon session with the Scot closing the gap on Kyren Wilson to just two. He needed a good session like that but Wilson takes a 5-3 lead into tomorrow’s action.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-4 Stuart Bingham

17:52 , Mike Jones

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-4 Stuart Bingham

17:47 , Mike Jones

Stephen Hendry speaking on BBC Two:

“Both players will be pleased with the scoreline. Neither has been anywhere near the top of their game this afternoon so it’s a pretty fair result.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-4 Stuart Bingham

17:42 , Mike Jones

Over on the other table, Kyren Wilson has taken a 5-2 lead over John Higgins but the Scot is fighting back having won two of the three frames in the second part of this session.

If he takes the last one as well then he’ll be more than pleased with his day.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-4 Stuart Bingham

17:40 , Mike Jones

This quarter-final is developing into a fine contest. The standard of play wasn’t anywhere near the levels both players are capable of but it was an intriguing battle nonetheless.

These two will return tomorrow morning for the next stage of this match.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-4 Stuart Bingham

17:38 , Mike Jones

This is Bingham’s frame to win from here. He scoots around the table with a bit of a skip and gets himself 67 points ahead. When the blue drops that should be that.

It is.

O’Sullivan concedes the frame and both players end the session on level terms. That’s a fair result on reflection.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-3 Stuart Bingham

17:35 , Mike Jones

Bingham uses his smarts and patience. He helps himself to a lead of 45 but doesn’t manage to spread the remaining reds as well as he’d like.

He goes safe but O’Sullivan leaves a tricky long red to the bottom corner. Bingham knocks it in!

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-3 Stuart Bingham

17:32 , Mike Jones

Very nice. Stuart Bingham lands a long pot and finds a gap for the cueball to dance around the table setting up the blue.

There’s still a long way to go in this frame but he’s been the more likely to score from it so far.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-3 Stuart Bingham

17:28 , Mike Jones

Bingham’s break comes to an end at 17 and O’Sullivan decides to take on a long effort at a red just behind the blue. It doesn’t go in.

For the session, O’Sullivan’s potting success is just 85% yet he’s still leading this match.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-3 Stuart Bingham

17:26 , Mike Jones

There were only a couple of loose read after the initial break and Bingham tidies them up nicely. He comes off the black and spins the cueball into the reds where it burries itself and doesn’t give Bingham a potting opportunity.

That was unfortunate.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-3 Stuart Bingham

17:24 , Mike Jones

Oh yes! Stuart Bingham gets on the board first in this final frame with a lovely pot to the bottom left. The red bobbles around as it drops with the cueball spinning back to the middle of the table.

Bingham knocks in the blue and seemingly hasn’t left himself anything easy.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-3 Stuart Bingham

17:20 , Mike Jones

Ronnie O’Sullivan was 3-1 down in this match and now leads after Stuart Bingham finally concedes the frame. There’s going to be one more frame to play this afternoon.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-3 Stuart Bingham

17:16 , Mike Jones

Stuart Bingham must be trying to rediscover a bit of rhythm. He’s keep this frame going but isn’t troubling Ronnie O’Sullivan with his attempts at a snooker.

He still needs four of them, one pot would win it for O’Sullivan.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-3 Stuart Bingham

17:07 , Mike Jones

Ronnie O’Sullivan said earlier in the week that he finds ways to win. He’s doing just that here. A break of 70 means that Bingham needs snookers to get back in the frame.

There are 35 points on the table with O’Sullivan leading by 50. Bingham is playing on for now.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-3 Stuart Bingham

17:05 , Mike Jones

Bingham edges ahead with a 20 point lead but makes an unforced error to set O’Sullivan up for a comeback. The reds are spread out perfectly, almost like a practice session, and this is the time for Ronnie to capitalise.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-3 Stuart Bingham

16:59 , Mike Jones

Good pot! Bingham leaves one red on to the bottom left corner and O’Sullivan takes it on. He nestles it home, takes out the brown and then misses a simple red which would have set him up perfectly on the black.

O’Sullivan is so frustrated with how he’s playing at the minute.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-3 Stuart Bingham

16:55 , Mike Jones

O’Sullivan is in control of this frame now.

He’s setting up snookers and waiting for Bingham to make an error. He does, and O’Sullivan knocks the red into the top right pocket. The colours quickly follow for Ronnie who manages to draw level at 3-3.

He’s won both frames in the second part of this session despite not playing all that well.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-3 Stuart Bingham

16:55 , Mike Jones

O’Sullivan is in control of this frame now.

He’s setting up snookers and waiting for Bingham to make an error. He does, and O’Sullivan knocks the red into the top right pocket. The colours quickly follow for Ronnie who manages to draw level at 3-3.

He’s won both frames in the second part of this session despite not playing all that well.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 2-3 Stuart Bingham

16:52 , Mike Jones

Mistake!

O’Sullivan fouls again by potting the cueball and Bingham’s opportunity to win has increased. He comes down the table and pots the red into the bottom left before quickly following up with the black.

Bingham then misses the final red to the middle right. This frame is still alive!

Ronnie O’Sullivan 2-3 Stuart Bingham

16:50 , Mike Jones

A break of 43 from O’Sullivan leaves him one pot away from levelling the match but the red doesn’t drop. There are 43 points remaining on the table and Bingham trails by 41 after potting a red and the green.

The two remaining reds are tricky though, stuck over by the left hand cushion. Bingham goes safe. O’Sullivan leads 63-22.

Ronnie O’Sullivan 2-3 Stuart Bingham

16:46 , Mike Jones

That’s a shocker!

Just as he looked to increase his advantage Bingham gets a red to lip out of the middle right and his break ends with him still trailing O’Sullivan by two.

O’Sullivan seems keen to take this table on now. His focus is almost overwhelming his frustration at the minute.

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