2025 World Snooker Draw: O’Sullivan vs Carter, Wilson vs Peifan

The first-round draw for the 2025 World Snooker Championship has thrown up some intriguing matchups, with defending champion Kyren Wilson set to kick off his title defense against China’s Lei Peifan. Meanwhile, snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, who recently confirmed his participation in the tournament, will face a tough test against fellow Englishman Ali Carter. O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, has not played competitively since January when he famously snapped his cue at the Championship League. His clash with Carter, the highest-ranked qualifier at world number 18, is a rematch of the 2008 and 2012 finals, both of which were won by “The Rocket.” Elsewhere in the draw, world number one Judd Trump has been paired with China’s Zhou Yuelong, while Masters champion Shaun Murphy will take on debutant Daniel Wells. Four-time world champions Mark Selby and John Higgins will face Ben Woollaston and Joe O’Connor, respectively. 2024 finalist Jak Jones has a challenging opener against former UK champion Zhao Xintong, who is competing as an amateur after serving a ban for breaching betting regulations. Zhao is one of a record 10 Chinese players to reach the televised stages of the tournament, highlighting the growing strength of snooker in the country. Other notable first-round encounters include 2010 champion Neil Robertson against Chris Wakelin, Mark Allen versus Fan Zhengyi, and Barry Hawkins taking on Iran’s Hossein Vafaei. The tournament, which begins on Saturday at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, promises to be a thrilling showcase of the world’s best snooker talent. With live coverage across the BBC, fans can expect to witness high-quality action and drama throughout the 17-day event. As for the highly anticipated O’Sullivan-Carter clash, their rivalry has been marked by tension and memorable moments over the years. The pair, who were once practice partners, have met twice in the World Championship final and most recently in a fiercely contested 2024 Masters final, which O’Sullivan won. Despite the “Rocket” dominating their head-to-head record, Carter did defeat him in the second round of the 2018 World Championship, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their upcoming battle. Key Takeaway: The 2025 World Snooker Championship is set to captivate audiences with a fascinating array of first-round matchups. As defending champion Kyren Wilson begins his title defense and Ronnie O’Sullivan makes his much-awaited return to the Crucible, snooker fans worldwide can look forward to a fortnight of exceptional skill, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments at the sport’s most prestigious event.

Ever wondered what Ronnie O’Sullivan plays with? Read What cue does Ronnie O’Sullivan use?