World Championship 2025: Ronnie O'Sullivan meeting in semi-final at the Crucible an ideal match-up for Zhao Xintong - Alan McManus

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Zhao Xintong locked horns in the semi-finals of the World Championship on Thursday afternoon, and they served up a cracker as the opening session finished all square at 4-4. Session two gets underway on Friday morning. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Zhao Xintong whetted the appetite for the sessions to come in their World Championship semi-final, and Alan McManus feels the contest is a good match-up for the underdog.

Zhao has blitzed his way to the semi-finals, and free-flowing snooker was the order of the day on Thursday afternoon as the two players shared eight frames in a shade under 90 minutes.

There were only fleeting glimpses of safety on show, and McManus felt the attacking play in a relaxed atmosphere suited Zhao.

China Open

China Open snooker 2026: Scores, results, schedule, prize money

6 hours ago

"I think the match-up with Ronnie has been quite good for him, as they are sort of pals off the table," McManus said in the TNT Sports studio at the Crucible.

"Ronnie likes to have a bit of fun; he’s been smiling. There was a smile at the end, and that is good for Xintong. 

"He did not want to play a John Higgins where it’s intense all the way from the tape to the line."

• There are better potters than O’Sullivan, Higgins and Williams, but no better players - McManus
• Why O'Sullivan showed in one shot 'he is the best player we have ever seen'

McManus expects the smiles to disappear as the players get closer to the winning line.

"It is going to get tense, though, tomorrow night when someone gets to double figures," McManus said. "It will get serious."

The players return to the Crucible for session two on Friday morning, and Jimmy White will be counting down the hours.

"Fantastic to watch," White said of the opening session. "There have been some mistakes, but they are fantastic ball-strikers, and they make the game look so easy. 

"It’s a wonderful match and I can’t wait [for session 2]."

'What an atmosphere' - O'Sullivan and Zhao given standing ovation by Crucible crowd

Video credit: TNT Sports

While the standard was high, there were mistakes and Reanne Evans felt that only added to the spectacle.

"They are both attacking players," Evans told TNT Sports. "The styles suit each other, it’s quick-fire and it’s so entertaining. 

"I think the misses help with the entertainment as we are all human."

The players will return for the second of four scheduled sessions on Friday morning, with the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

China Open

Has O'Sullivan lost his 'fear factor'? Hendry has say on former rival ahead of China Open

Yesterday at 21:08

China Open

Watch every 147 of the season in snooker loopy start to new campaign

04/08/2026 at 21:43