Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ali Carter LIVE: World Snooker Championship score and updates

[ad_1] <img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/04/22/14/53/SEI248425259.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/04/22/14/53/SEI248425259.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=140%2C0%2C0%2C0&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/04/22/14/53/SEI248425259.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=140%2C0%2C0%2C0&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="" data-hero="true" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 QHifS"/> (Motion Photographs through Reuters) The best snooker participant of all time, Ronnie O’Sullivan, returns to motion this afternoon as he competes within the first spherical of the World Snooker Championship on the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in opposition to long-time foe Ali Carter.

The seven-time world champion hasn’t performed in a match since snapping his cue in anger and strolling out of the Championship League in January. He has pulled out of a number of occasions at brief discover over the previous 12 months, together with the Masters at Alexandra Palace, to prioritise his psychological well being and wellbeing and admits he has been scared to go close to a snooker desk throughout his absence, whereas fearing he has “misplaced his bottle”.

O’Sullivan has been open about his struggles, and there was actual doubt about whether or not the 49-year-old would play at Sheffield or be absent for the primary time in 33 years however he's certainly taking to the baize and can attempt to discover type because the match progresses.

He's at the moment degree with Stephen Hendry for probably the most world titles gained on the Crucible, with seven, and though he has performed down expectations of securing a record-breaking eight this 12 months, he does have type – having opted to overlook the entire of the 2013 season earlier than rocking up in Sheffield and successful the world title that 12 months.

‘The Rocket’ may have obtained a better first-round draw, with Carter the highest-ranked participant to return by means of the qualifiers and a former two-time world finalist himself – shedding to O’Sullivan on each events, in 2008 and 2012. The pair have a messy historical past that features mid-match shoulder barges and wars of phrases over on-table behaviour, so anticipate an explosive contest.

Comply with all of the motion from the first-round encounter between O’Sullivan and Carter from the Crucible with our weblog under:

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter - dwell updates Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-2 Ali Carter - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME SIX That can damage Carter. O’Sullivan holds his nerve, all the colors are on their spots and completes the clearance with a forty five break.

O’Sullivan pinches body six and leads 4-2. Carter could find yourself wanting again on that body with remorse.

(Danny Lawson/PA Wire) Luke Baker 22 April 2025 16:47

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-2 Ali Carter - body six Hmmm. Carter makes 60, which is his highest break to this point, however he’s not fairly over the road after which misses a easy purple to the left nook. It careers up the desk and lands proper over the yellow pocket, giving Ronnie the right starter.

It is a golden alternative for a counter-clearance with a couple of reds left and to steal the body.

Luke Baker 22 April 2025 16:42

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-2 Ali Carter - body six O’Sullivan makes 24 however a missed purple permits Carter in and he rapidly reaches 30 and counting. A trick purple to proper center, with hampered cueing, is potted by the Captain and the balls are largely at his mercy right here.

Can he kill off a body in a single go to for the primary time on this match?

Luke Baker 22 April 2025 16:39

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-2 Ali Carter - CARTER WINS FRAME FIVE That didn’t final too lengthy, O’Sullivan misses a purple from being in a snooker and concedes the body.

Not at all times fairly and he wanted a few probabilities however Ali Carter wins body 5 to shut the hole to 3-2

(Getty Photographs) Luke Baker 22 April 2025 16:31

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - body 5 Instantly Carter leaves himself loads to do with a difficult inexperienced into the fitting nook pocket nevertheless it’s a pleasant pot and the purple to comply with leaves O’Sullivan needing snookers.

The Captain misses a easy sufficient purple to the nook that will have stopped Ronnie coming again to the desk however the seven-time champ will play on and attempt to get the 2 snookers he wants now....

Luke Baker 22 April 2025 16:29

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - body 5 Carter makes a couple of extra however can’t end the job and is compelled to play protected. He has a 51-point lead however with 5 reds remaining, there’s loads of scope for an O’Sullivan counter clearance if he will get the possibility.

HIs long-potting hasn’t been nice immediately although and he misses one other. The purple bounces out and leaves Carter a easy starter. Just a few pots wanted to win this body and shut the hole to 1.

Luke Baker 22 April 2025 16:26

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - body 5 Scrappy from O’Sullivan because the white goes in-off as he performs a security on a purple. It leaves Carter an opportunity at a protracted purple which he crunches in and he can pad his lead right here, though the black and pink are out of fee, making issues more durable.

It’s 38-6 to the Captain and he’d like to recover from the road by clearing up the 5 reds within the centre of the desk. Intelligent cannon opens up these reds and frees the pink additionally. It is a actual probability for Carter right here.

Luke Baker 22 April 2025 16:21

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - body 5 Again underway after the mid-session interval and it seems like an enormous body for Carter. The match may rapidly begin getting away from him if he’s not cautious.

It’s going properly for the Captain however he misses a black off the spot as he tries to separate the pack of reds and his lead is simply 31 factors. There was extra out there there.

The one excellent news is there’s no actual pot on for O’Sullivan so he’ll have to attend for an opportunity

Luke Baker 22 April 2025 16:14

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - MID-SESSION INTERVAL O’Sullivan began to search out his rhythm in direction of the tip of that first mini-session and he’s in charge of this match within the early going

(Danny Lawson/PA Wire) (Getty Photographs) (Motion Photographs through Reuters) Luke Baker 22 April 2025 15:58

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME FOUR That is ominous for Ali Carter. Ronnie is getting in stroke right here and it is a clear win in body 4 for the seven-time world champion as he triumphs in a single go to.

In reality, he goes on to make the century as he notches a complete clearance of 107. Classic O'Sullivan that - he is beginning to look proper at dwelling.