Overview

• Ronnie O’Sullivan defeated Ali Carter 10-4 in the first round of the World Snooker Championship, producing three century breaks in a dominant performance.
• This match marked O’Sullivan’s return to competitive play after a three-month hiatus to focus on his mental health and well-being.
• O’Sullivan admitted to battling self-doubt and nerves prior to the match but credited psychologist Steve Peters for helping him manage the mental challenges of competition.
• The victory advances O’Sullivan to the last 16, where he will face Pang Junxu, one of six Chinese players in this stage of the tournament.
• In a notable shift, O’Sullivan announced he will pause lucrative exhibition events for two years to prioritize tournaments and fitness.