Overview

• Ronnie O’Sullivan secured a 10-4 victory over Ali Carter in the first round of the 2025 World Snooker Championship, delivering four century breaks in a dominant second session.
• The win marks O’Sullivan’s 33rd consecutive appearance at the Crucible and continues his pursuit of a record eighth world title.
• O’Sullivan credited sport psychologist Steve Peters for helping him manage self-doubt and pressure, which had plagued him following a January meltdown and subsequent break from the sport.
• Despite initial rustiness, O’Sullivan’s performance demonstrated his ability to capitalize on his opponent’s errors and regain form during the match.
• O’Sullivan now faces China’s Pang Junxu in the last 16, a rising star who defeated him in their most recent meeting at the 2024 International Championship.