Louis Hobbs

Zhao Xintong made history as China’s first World Snooker Champion with an 18-12 win over Mark Williams. Now, the ‘Chinese Cyclone’ is already targeting the Masters to complete the Triple Crown and cement his place among the sport’s greats.

Mark Williams reached his 12th World Snooker Championship quarterfinal and, uncharacteristically, admitted he is dreaming of a blockbuster clash with fellow Class of ’92-star John Higgins.

Ben Woollaston shocked training partner Mark Selby with a 10-8 win at the Crucible, earning his first victory at the venue. With Leicester legend Jamie Vardy set to leave, Woollaston now eyes his own moment of hometown sporting glory.

Luca Brecel battled past Ryan Day at the Crucible but joked he wants to drop down the rankings to play in Q School. The 2023 world champ admitted pressure isn't helping his game, while also giving an update on his Ironman training journey.

Judd Trump hit back at Stephen Hendry and Mark Allen’s claims he needs more world titles to cement his legacy, insisting he’s happy with his career and wouldn’t be “disappointed” retiring with one Crucible crown, saying: “I’d be playing golf in Dubai in a mansion.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan returned to the Crucible after a four-month break, defeating rival Ali Carter and revealing deep pre-tournament anxiety. The pair put past tensions behind them, with Carter praising O’Sullivan as a “freak natural” and the greatest of all time.

Shaun Murphy hit top form at the Crucible with three centuries in a 10-4 win over debutant Daniel Wells, praising his opponent and crediting coach Peter Ebdon for reigniting his champion mindset ahead of a potential clash with Judd Trump.

Ding Junhui ended a five-year Crucible drought with a 10-7 win over Zak Surety, then backed China’s next generation to dominate snooker. He believes their focus and discipline from a young age gives them the edge over their British counterparts.

Judd Trump shares his World Championship preview, revealing his dream final opponent: Ronnie O'Sullivan. While praising Kyren Wilson’s consistency, Trump believes it’ll be one of the top players battling for the title and reflects on his rivalry with Wilson this season.

OKTAGON MMA set a new ratings record with 1.3 million viewers on RTL+ during OKTAGON 69. The sold-out event in Dortmund saw Max Holzer win by fourth-round submission, while Welsh star Aaron Aby suffered a narrow split-decision loss on his return.

Nathan Aspinall seals victory in Manchester and brands online abuse towards Luke Humphries "disgusting" after the former world champion spoke candidly about his mental health battles.

Luke Littler reflects on his Premier League journey, his growing friendships with fellow pros like Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey, and his upcoming clash with Gerwyn Price. He also discusses the mental demands of the tour and the surprising lack of celebrity ticket requests for his Manchester appearance.

Mark Selby discusses the future of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible, defending its legacy and atmosphere amid rumours of a move to Saudi Arabia. He prioritises the venue’s history and fan experience over potential financial gains, stressing the Crucible's unique appeal.

John Higgins claimed his second ranking event win of the season, beating Mark Selby 10-8 in a thrilling 2025 Tour Championship final. Calling it his best career win, he overcame a dramatic 8-5 deficit, with his family in his corner, and his victory boosts his world ranking to third.

Ding Junhui reflects on his Tour Championship run and looks ahead to the 2025 World Championship. He praises the rising Chinese snooker talent, especially Zhao Xintong, and backs him for a successful return to the Crucible after his betting ban.

John Higgins backs Ronnie O'Sullivan's decision to leave his World Championship participation until the last minute, saying the snooker legend has "earned the right" to choose his fate. Higgins, fresh off a dominant win over Xiao Guodong, supports O'Sullivan’s personal decision.