Kyren Wilson V Lei Peifan - 19/04/25 10.00 & 19/04/25 19.00
Defending World Champion Kyren Wilson kicks off the Championship this morning 12 months on from winning his first Crucible title. He faces Scottish Open champion Lei Peifan and the dreaded 'Crucible Curse'. (No first time winner has ever retained their crown 12 months later).
Although his form has taken a major nosedive since his surprise victory in Edinburgh, Peifan showed what he is capable of that week, defeating Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen & Wu Yize among others on the way to the title.
However, Wilson has applied himself exceptionally over the past 12 months, picking up 4 ranking titles (X'ian Grand Prix, Northern Ireland Open, German Masters, Players Championship) and carrying the World Champion tag with the respect it deserves.
He is the sort of character that will relish the opportunity of making history over the next 17 days and I can't see China's Peifan putting a stop to that.
Prediction: Wilson 10-4
Xiao Guodong V Matthew Selt - 19/04/25 10.00 & 20/04/25 10.00
One of the stories of the season so far is the rise of Xiao Guodong, having won the Wuhan Open and reaching 3 ranking event semi-finals, the 36-year-old has reached his highest ever ranking (14) and is seeded for the Crucible for the first time in his career.
Selt controversially came through a final frame decider with Jimmy Roberston to gain a spot in what will be his 5th appearance at the 'Home of Snooker'. He is yet to record a win though but ran eventual runner-up Mark Selby very close in his last appearance in 2023 but was eventually edged out 10-8.
Outside of the Championship League and the shoot-out, the pair haven't met since 2015 and both have improved significantly since then.
Recently Guodong's form has been questionable and that will give Selt hope but I feel the Chinese player may just have too much on this occasion.
Prediction: Guodong 10-6
Neil Robertson V Chris Wakelin - 19/04/25 14.30 & 20/04/25 19.00
Having picked up 2 ranking titles this season (English Open & World Grand Prix), Neil Robertson is coming into this years World Championship with renewed hope that he can add to his sole World Championship title.
To have so much talent having been at the top of the game for so long and to only pick up 1 World Championship almost doesn't seem fair but it is well-documented how the Aussie finds the two-table set-up at the Crucible far from enjoyable.
For that reason alone, I would give Wakelin a big chance of picking up his first victory at the 4th attempt at the Crucible. The tight nature of the opening rounds has obviously gotten inside Robertson's head and Wakelin can take full advantage.
He was hugely impressive in his qualifying wins over Martin O'Donnell & Xing Zihao scoring heavily at every opportunity.
It hasn't been a bad season for the Englishman despite not picking up any silverware but a victory over the World number 9 would no-doubt be a highlight.
Prediction: 10-9 Wakelin
Mark Williams V Wu Yize - 19/04/25 14.30 & 20/04/25 14.30
Three-time World Champion Mark Williams comes into this years championship slightly under the radar as it's been well-documented that the Welshman is struggling with his eyesight and is hoping to address it in the off-season.
Taking that into consideration, it's hard to envisage a deep run for the 'Class of 92' legend as the length of the matches continue to increase as the tournament progresses.
Today's opponent Wu Yize is undoubtedly a serious up-and-coming prospect in the game and it's only a matter of time before he claims a ranking title. But today's match may come too soon for the 21-year-old.
He will have picked up invaluable experience after defeating another Welshman in Matthew Stevens in a nervy final frame decider on judgement day.
This will be his 2nd appearance at the Crucible having been defeated 10-3 to Neil Robertson on his debut in 2023.
Williams was defeated at this stage by Si Jiahui 10-9 twelve months ago so will be determined to get over his fellow countryman this time around. Yize is a dangerous opponent and it won't be straightforward but I expect Williams to come out on the right side of the result.
Prediction: 10-5 Williams
Barry Hawkins V Hossein Vafaei - 19/04/25 19.00 & 20/04/25 19.00
In my opinion, one of the ties of the first round between a high-flying Hawkins who has been in rock solid form all year and Vafaei who produced a couple of standout performances to come through the qualifiers with ease.
The Englishman made the final of both the UK Championship & German Masters only to be edged out in both. Even though he came up short in both, it shows that he is capable of making deep runs in these events and how dangerous he can be.
Full of charisma, Vafaei won't be intimidated and will relish the opportunity to defeat a well-fancied seed. It's been a quiet year for the Iranian but this is a chance for him to really make his mark and possibly make a deep run in this years Championship.
This will be his 3rd appearance at the Crucible, with only 1 victory to his name he will have to significantly improve his record in Sheffield to come out on top over the world number 11 and former finalist.
It's very difficult to call a winner of this one and a close contest is expected but I feel there is a real possibility of Vafaei causing an upset here.
Prediction: 10-9 Vafaei
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