Ronnie O’Sullivan’s return after a three-month hiatus is the centerpiece of a star-studded fourth day at the World Snooker Championship. The seven-time champion will face off against two-time runner-up Ali Carter in the opening round on Tuesday, April 14:30 BST, at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. This marks O’Sullivan’s 33rd consecutive appearance at the prestigious event.
The 49-year-old has been struggling with his game recently, having snapped his cue during a Championship League event in January. Before the tournament, he candidly admitted to BBC Sport that “to come here is an achievement in itself for me,” acknowledging difficulties finding his best form and even expressing moments of stage fright and loss of confidence. Despite these challenges, O’Sullivan has been diligently practicing leading up to the World Championship, including playing practice sessions with fellow professional Barry Hawkins. He described the motivation as needing a “fire” to reignite his competitive spirit.
Beyond O’Sullivan’s return, other notable players are also contesting their opening matches. World number one Judd Trump is scheduled to begin his campaign against China’s Zhou Yuelong at 19:00 BST, while Masters champion Shaun Murphy will face Daniel Wells in the morning session (10:00 BST). Trump has a remarkable record of 30 ranking titles but only secured his sole World Championship victory in 2019, defeating Hawkins. Shaun Murphy, currently ranked 15th, is aiming to recapture the magic he experienced when winning the title back in 2005 as a qualifier – a feat he hasn’t replicated since.
The atmosphere surrounding O’Sullivan’s return is particularly charged given his past encounters with Carter. The two players have clashed repeatedly on the circuit and have a history of animosity, adding an extra layer of intensity to their match-up. Carter, ranked 18th in the world, progressed through qualifying rounds impressively, achieving the highest ranking player to reach the tournament’s second round.
**Tournament Details:**
* **Venue:** Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
* **Dates:** April 19 – May 5
* **Coverage:** Live broadcast on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app; live text coverage of selected matches; updates on BBC Radio 5 Live.
**Schedule (Tuesday, April 22):**
* **10:00 BST:** Zhang Anda v Pang Junxu; Shaun Murphy v Daniel Wells
* **14:30 BST:** Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ali Carter; Ding Junhui v Zak Surety
* **19:00 BST:** Si Jiahui v David Gilbert; Judd Trump v Zhou Yuelong (match to be played to a finish)
