World Championship 2025 - Final

Mark Williams V Zhao Xintong - 04/04/25 13.00, 04/04/25 19.00, 05/04/25 13.00 & 05/04/25 19.00

It’s the last match of a thoroughly enjoyable tournament that ends a captivating season, it’s fitting that we’re going to be treated to two of the most watchable players battling out for the World title.

A match that pits two left handers against each other. Mark Williams, the first ever left hander to clinch the World title will aim to win his 4th at the age of 50. A truly staggering stat.

His defeat of World number 1 Judd Trump in the semi-final was an example of both his class and ability to grind out the biggest results when it matters most as he ran out a 17-14 winner.

At 7-3 down he never panicked and showed exactly why many rate him in the top 5 snooker players of all-time.

The Welshman will need to put huge emphasis on his safety play after the long potting we have seen from Zhao Xintong over the last 17 days.

Amazingly after admitting to struggling with his eyesight he has battled to reach the final and he will fight until the final ball is potted.

I’m beginning to run out of words to describe the fearless Xintong. The extremely talented 28-year-old emphatically defeated 7-time World champion Ronnie O’Sullivan 17-7 with a session to spare in the semi-final.

Williams will be aware of the chances offered up to Xintong during his semi-final, Ronnie was using a new cue and ferrule that obviously hampered his chances.

There is a huge possibility that we see the first Chinese World Championship winner over the next 2 days in what is undoubtedly a hugely exciting time for the sport. The emergence of Xintong among the World's best has breathed new life into the tour.

He amazingly came through the qualifiers and has won 8 matches to get to this stage, the road to the final began for the Chinese player all the way back on the 8th of April when he defeated Kai Wai Cheung in the first round of qualifying.

The pair met in the qualifiers for the 2017 World Championship, today's match-up is a testament of how they've both improved since then.

Whichever player lifts the title will create huge headlines across the World but if Mark Williams can defy all logic and come out on top it would arguably be one of the greatest achievements in our sport.

Prediction: 18-15 Williams

World Championship 2025 - Semi-Finals

Ronnie O'Sullivan V Zhao Xintong - 01/05/25 13.00, 02/05/25 10.00, 02/05/25 19.00, 03/05/25 14.30

When the draw was made, numerous fans identified the possibility of this match-up in the semi-final. Up until now, there has been very little resistance from their opponents to the fact that both players were almost destined to make the last four.

There's a huge difference in experience between the pair, Ronnie is set to appear in his 14th Crucible semi-final while this will be Xintong's first.

The 28-year-old has won 7 matches to reach the final four so will have momentum behind him, the scoreline of his defeat of Chris Wakelin was impressive however Wakelin was very disappointing throughout.

The form of Ronnie O'Sullivan and his new cue still remains a mystery but he has shown glimpses of brilliance at times during his 3 victories 3 matches to get to this stage. As the 7-time champion aims to make the final and a tilt at winning a history-making 8th title, he faces an opponent who has at times wowed fans by his exciting, attacking style of play that has seen him almost free-wheel to this stage.

The Englishman will know he will have to improve from his victories against Ali Carter, Pang Junxu & Si Jiahui as at times it has looked as if he hasn't gotten out of 3rd gear.

Ultimately I think Xintong will run out of steam and Ronnie will be able to grind down his Chinese opponent.

Prediction: 17-12 Ronnie

Mark Williams V Judd Trump - 01/05/25 19.00, 02/05/25 14.30, 03/05/25 10.00 & 03/05/25 19.00

A repeat of this year's Saudi Arabia Masters final, if we can get a match half as dramatic & entertaining as Judd Trump's final frame decider win we will be doing well.

That match was neck & neck for the majority and this one could be similar but the way the world number 1 blew away Luca Brecel in the final session of their quarter-final was hugely impressive.

There is the possibility that he may have too much for the Welshman but despite admitting to struggling with his eyesight he has battled to reach the final four and I expect him to fight until the final ball is potted.

The 3-time World Champion comes in as an underdog but will fancy his chances of overturning a player playing at the peak of his powers. Williams defeated fellow 'Class of 92' legend John Higgins in the quarter-final in a final-frame decider that summed up the career of both players. Unbelievable, a credit to the sport.

Trump impressively reached his 100th century of the season in his 13-10 victory over Shaun Murphy earlier in the tournament. Securing the £100,000 bonus may well ease the pressure on his shoulders ahead of a huge match against a fellow World Championship winner.

It's been an encouraging season so far, along with cementing his place at the top of the world rankings, he has also picked up 3 ranking event titles (Shanghai Masters, Saudi Arabia Masters, UK Championship).

I'm siding with Trump to progress to his 4th Crucible final. I think he'll be able to outlast Williams with the length of the match a concern for the Welshman.

Prediction: 17-13 Trump