Ronnie O'Sullivan Faces Chinese Newcomer He Guoqiang at World Snooker Championship

Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to take on Chinese debutant He Guoqiang as he pursues a record eighth World Snooker Championship title at The Crucible. He, ranked 47th in China, defeated Jack Lisowski in qualifying and will make his first appearance against seven-time champion O'Sullivan on Tuesday afternoon. The 25-year-old has a 2-1 head-to-head record against O'Sullivan and is one of 11 Chinese players participating in the tournament. The competition also features defending champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday, a year after becoming China's first world champion. Other notable matches include four-time champion John Higgins against two-time runner-up Ali Carter, and four-time winner Mark Selby against 2024 finalist Jak Jones. The tournament begins on Sunday and concludes on May 3-4. Since the introduction of 32 players in the first round in 1982, there has never been an instance where all 16 top seeds have advanced to the second round. Zhao will attempt to overcome the 'Crucible Curse' and become the first maiden winner to successfully defend the title, a feat that 21 players have failed to achieve since 1980. O'Sullivan, making his record 34th consecutive appearance at the iconic venue, was the last first-time champion to reach the semi-finals in 2002. The full first-round draw is available, with 24 different champions crowned since 1977, including China's Zhao Xintong, who won the title in 2025, and Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan, who share the record of seven crowns apiece.