O'Sullivan Advances to 14th Crucible Semi-Final, Defeats Si Jiahui 13-9

Ronnie O’Sullivan advanced to his 14th World Snooker Championship semi-final after defeating Si Jiahui 13-9, holding off a late fightback from the young Chinese player. O’Sullivan, a seven-time champion, will face Zhao Xintong, who impressed with a dominant win over Chris Wakelin to reach his first Crucible semi-final as an amateur after returning from a match-fixing ban. Zhao’s resurgence has been notable, having fought through four qualifying rounds and being the only player among those previously sanctioned to return to the tour. O’Sullivan credited the enduring rivalry and passion among snooker’s 'Class of ’92'—himself, John Higgins, and Mark Williams—for their continued success against emerging talent. The semi-final matchup between O’Sullivan and Zhao promises to be a highlight as O’Sullivan seeks a record-breaking eighth world title. The tournament continues to showcase a mix of veteran excellence and rising stars, reflecting the evolving landscape of world snooker.