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O’Sullivan had too much for Si Jiahui in the quarter-finals, though he admitted he got “lucky” and maintains he is playing below his best during this current run in Sheffield.
Errors cost him again in the early stages of this semi-final as he fell 2-0 down to an assured Zhao, but momentum swung back and forth. The veteran moved 4-3 up and had chances to take a 5-3 lead into the next session - before the Chinese player responded with the best break of the match so far, 86, to level proceedings.
Elsewhere, Judd Trump continued his ominous form by dispatching Luca Brecel while adding a record 104th century of a memorable season to move into the semi-finals. ‘The Ace in the Pack’ will take on O’Sullivan’s fellow ‘Class of 92’ rival Mark Williams, who prevailed on the final black in an unforgettable match with fellow veteran John Higgins.
Zhao makes highest break of session against O'Sullivan
Zhao with the highest break of the match so far at 86 in that sixth and final frame of the session.
Neither man has made a century so far though, with O'Sullivan making four breaks of 50+ compared to his Chinese rival's three.
Jack Rathborn1 May 2025 18:40
So far today: O'Sullivan locked at 4-4 with Zhao
O'Sullivan's roll continued after the restart as he got the better of a safety exchange then sealed the fifth, leaving Zhao over half-an-hour and two frames without scoring a point. When he snapped his barren streak he did enough to draw level once again.
Both players saved their best for last as they warmed to an engaging battle, O'Sullivan regaining the upper hand with a break of 82 before Zhao shot back with 86.
Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 18:18
So far today: O'Sullivan locked at 4-4 with Zhao
Earlier O'Sullivan, who considered his previous 13-9 win over Si Jiahui a let-off, won three frames in a row and at one stage stopped his opponent registering a point for almost 34 minutes.
Zhao showed no sign of nerves on his first appearance at the theatre's one-table set-up, settling quickly into his work as he picked up the first two frames with minimal fuss.
O'Sullivan potted the white off the initial break and was restricted to just a couple of reds as the Chinese player put together a decisive 60 to take first blood.
It was a similar story next up, with O'Sullivan opening the door with a missed black and Zhao cashing in with a 62 break.
O'Sullivan came to life at 2-0, producing his best shot yet when he brilliantly hid the blue and getting into the zone with a breezy 64.
By the time the mid-session interval arrived he had wrestled back the momentum, conjuring a fluid 73 to even the scores before jamming a black in the jaws with a century for the taking.
Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 17:59
So far today: O'Sullivan locked at 4-4 with Zhao
Seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and first-time semi-finalist Zhao Xintong shared the spoils in a gripping opening session at the Crucible, tying 4-4 as they fought for a spot in the World Snooker Championship final.
O'Sullivan's pedigree and experience on the big stage did not deter Zhao, who took a 2-0 lead and then finished impressively with a break of 86 - the highest of the match to date - to leave things all square after the initial leg of their best-of-33 contest.
With moments to go in the afternoon's play, Zhao broke a corner runner with a powerful shot to leave balls rolling around the carpet as he applied the finishing touches.
Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 17:38
News: Hearn hopeful on Crucible deal
"I've had a very productive meeting with Sheffield City Council. We all know where our heart is, unfortunately it's got to marry up with our wallets because that's what professional sport is about," Hearn told BBC Two.
"I'm impressed with their attitude. There's still some way to go, we've set ourselves a target of getting together again in three months to see where we're going towards. I've been honest with them in saying what we need. It all comes down to money, of course.
"They're going to need some help and, on an even bigger scale, hopefully the government identifies this as an event that is very good for Britain. Sometimes it hasn't had the respect of that because we've always been here.
"I don't want to leave but if the money's right then I have to. Because I'm going to be under pressure from players who say everyone else's prize money is going up - darts players, boxers, whatever - and not us.
"How do we inspire the next generation of people, other than saying like Luke Littler in darts, you can change your life through playing this sport?"
Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 17:12
News: Hearn hopeful on Crucible deal
Barry Hearn remains hopeful a deal can be struck to keep the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible but reiterated that "it all comes down to money".
The Matchroom Sport president was positive about his latest round of talks with Sheffield City Council, whose staging agreement runs out after the 50th anniversary edition in 2027, but is unyielding when it comes to the bottom line.
With persistent whispers about more lucrative offers from the likes of Saudi Arabia, or even rebranding the prestige event as a roving showpiece, he renewed familiar calls to find more cash for the players.
Negotiations are set to continue in the summer, with a decision likely to come at the end of the year.
Lawrence Ostlere1 May 2025 16:40
Coming up next...
That’s it from O’Sullivan and Zhao tonight, with their semi-final set to resume tomorrow morning.
But from 19:00 BST tonight the other semi-finalists are in action, as world No. 1 Judd Trump takes on three-time champion Mark Williams.
Flo Clifford1 May 2025 16:15
'Other avenues' to solve money conundrum - Shaun Murphy
“Barry's making the link between finance and payments and size of audiences - that's not the only income stream for World Snooker Ltd or Matchroom Sport, they make a lot of money in a lot of other areas,” Murphy continues.
“He's making a very strong link between the financial rewards of professional sport and ticket sales. There are other avenues.”
Flo Clifford1 May 2025 16:00
Former world champion Shaun Murphy: 'I got the bug'
Shaun Murphy, world champion in 2005, raises a different point on the Crucible debate.
“As a nine-year-old boy I came here in 1992 and it bit me, I got the bug and it was in this room,” he says on BBC Two.
“While we sell out the Crucible for three sessions a day for 17 days, could they sell out a 4,000 or 5,000-seater arena for three sessions a day for 17 days? There's a bit of a question mark over that.”
Flo Clifford1 May 2025 15:50
Barry Hearn weighs in on Crucible debate
More from Hearn...
“I agree with [fans opposed to moving away from the Crucible], I don't want it to move,” he says. “But I have to live in the real world. While every player says there's nothing like walking out at the Crucible, every player would jump at the chance to earn double or treble the prize money. That's the world we're in.
“I'm a fan as much as anybody else, but I'm a realist. I built a big business on making sure that we deliver to players first and the public second. Whether it stays in Sheffield or somewhere else in the UK, or whether it moves to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Beijing - it's going to be a tough one.
“We have got to try to find some middle ground. We're not going to be difficult, our heart says we want to stay here because we're fans as well. Players need to be paid - that's what it comes down to.”
Flo Clifford1 May 2025 15:40
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