Breaking News: Ronnie O’Sullivan Reaches Crucible Semifinals with "Lucky" Win, Sets Up Clash with Amateur Zhao Xintong; Judd Trumpiquer Books Slot Against Mark Williams
**Ronnie O’Sullivan Marches On: Analyzing the Rocket’s Run at the World Snooker Championship**
O’Sullivan Books Semi-Final Spot After Narrow Victory Over Si Jiahui
Sheffield, UK – In a tale of two halves, Ronnie O’Sullivan eked out a 13-9 victory over Si Jiahui to progress to the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship. The self-proclaimed ‘Rocket’ might be playing below his best, but he’s still finding ways to win at the iconic Crucible Theatre.
A Rollercoaster Evening Session
The evening session couldn’t have started worse for O’Sullivan as he lost three of the first four frames, narrowing his lead to just two frames. However, the five-time world champion showed his fighting spirit, clawing his way back into the match to secure his spot in the last four.
“I’m Playing Awful” – O’Sullivan’s Honest Assessment
Post-match, O’Sullivan was typically blunt in his assessment, telling BBC Sport, “I’m playing awful and the cue feels awful, so it’s the worst situation to be in as a snooker player.” The 49-year-old admitted he was lucky to win, acknowledging Si’s missed opportunities to apply pressure.
Despite his self-criticism, O’Sullivan remains the firm favorite to win his eighth World Championship title. His run here is testament to his incredible competitive instincts and ability to grind out victories, even when not at his best.
Zhao Xintong: The Unlikely Semi-Final Opponent
O’Sullivan’s semi-final opponent will be Zhao Xintong, who’s playing as an amateur after serving a match-fixing ban. Zhao caused an upset by defeating Kyren Wilson 13-9 in the quarter-finals. This will be a fascinating matchup, with O’Sullivan expected to start as hot favorite.
Trump Sets New Century Record as Judd Brings the Heat
In the other quarter-final, world No. 1 Judd Trump set a new record for the most centuries in a season (11) with a 13-8 win over Luca Brecel. Trump, the 2019 world champion, will face Mark Williams in the semi-finals after the three-time champion won a thrilling 13-12 encounter against John Higgins.
Can O’Sullivan Keep Defying Expectations?
O’Sullivan knows he can’t afford to play as he did against Si Jiahui in his semi-final match. He’ll need to step up his game against Zhao Xintong and avoid any slip-ups if he’s to make history and win an unprecedented eighth World Championship title.
**FAQs**
- Who is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing in the semi-finals? Ronnie O’Sullivan will play against Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals.
- What is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s best performance at the World Championship? Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the World Championship a record seven times.
- Who won the other quarter-final clash in the top half of the draw? Judd Trump defeated Luca Brecel 13-8 to reach the semi-finals.
**Next Up…**
Join us for live coverage of the World Snooker Championship semi-finals, right here on 247sports.new. Don’t miss a moment of the action as Ronnie O’Sullivan bids to reach his eighth final at the Crucible.