Ronnie O'Sullivan Set to Face Chinese Newcomer He Guoqiang at the World Snooker Championship

Ronnie O'Sullivan is scheduled to compete against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang as he attempts to secure a record eighth World Snooker Championship title at The Crucible. China's 47th-ranked He, who defeated Jack Lisowski in the qualifying rounds, will begin his inaugural campaign against seven-time champion O'Sullivan on Tuesday afternoon. He has a history of beating O'Sullivan, having won two of their previous three encounters, and is one of 11 Chinese players participating in the tournament. This includes defending champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday, a year after becoming China's first world champion. Four-time champion John Higgins is set to face two-time runner-up Ali Carter in the opening round and could potentially meet O'Sullivan in the second round if both advance. Four-time winner Mark Selby will compete against 2024 finalist Jak Jones, while Judd Trump will face Gary Wilson, and three-time champion Mark Williams will go up against Antoni Kowalski, who makes history as the first Polish player to qualify for the Crucible. A high-profile debut awaits 19-year-old qualifier Stan Moody as he makes his Crucible bow against 2024 champion Kyren Wilson. The tournament commences this Sunday, with the final taking place on Sunday, May 3, and concluding the following day. Since the introduction of 32 players in the first round in 1982, there has never been an instance where all 16 top seeds have reached the second round. Zhao will attempt to overcome the 'Crucible Curse' and become the first maiden winner to successfully defend the trophy, a feat that 21 players have failed to achieve since 1980. O'Sullivan, who will be making a record 34th consecutive appearance at the iconic venue, was the last first-time champion to reach the semi-finals when he lost to Hendry in 2002. Since 1977, there have been 24 different champions, with China's Zhao Xintong being the most recent, winning the trophy in 2025 and becoming the first champion from Asia. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan currently hold the record for the most crowns, with seven each.