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World Snooker Championship 2023 results: Ronnie O'Sullivan maintains healthy lead over Luca Brecel

By Steve SutcliffeBBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Last updated on .From the section Snookercomments124

Ronnie O'Sullivan plays a rest shot at the 2023 World Snooker Championship
Ronnie O'Sullivan is playing in a record 21st Crucible quarter-final
Cazoo World Championship
Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Dates: 15 April-1 May
Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV and Red Button with uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app

Seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan maintained a healthy 10-6 lead over Luca Brecel in their World Championship quarter-final.

Having trailed 6-2 when play resumed, Brecel opened with a superb 128 break and also made two half-centuries as he fought back to 6-4 and 8-6.

However, O'Sullivan's superior match-play saw him repeatedly respond.

And two half-centuries of his own saw him remain on course for a 14th Crucible semi-final.

O'Sullivan and Brecel's best-of-25 match will be played to a conclusion on Wednesday afternoon (14:30 BST) with the winner set to face either Anthony McGill or Si Jiahui in the semi-finals.

It proved a disappointing finale to Tuesday evening's session for Belgium's Brecel, who exhibited plenty of spirit and produced some stunning pots along the way as he attempted to make up ground after losing the final four frames of the morning session.

However, the 28-year-old was also guilty of some erratic safety and taking on several high-tariff shots that presented O'Sullivan with opportunities to finish the night with his four-frame advantage intact.

Meanwhile, Mark Allen and Jak Jones remain inseparable after finishing their second session level at 8-8.

Resuming at 4-4, Welsh qualifier Jones, 29, took the first of several scrappy frames in the evening before Northern Ireland's Allen reeled off three on the trot to open up a 7-5 lead at the interval.

Jones repeated that feat, with a fluked red to the right middle laying the platform for his second half-century of the night to move 8-7 ahead.

Allen 37, who has already won three ranking events this term, restored parity with a break of 61 to leave the match finely balanced when it gets back under way on Wednesday morning (10:00 BST).

Analysis - Ronnie was 'outplayed' but got away with it

Six-time world champion Steve Davis speaking on BBC Two

Luca stopped the rot but it looked like it could have been a lot better. It was a chance for him to get at Ronnie who was not on full form.

If it was me I'd be totally relieved that I'd been outplayed for most of that session and got away with it. It gives you strength knowing the other guy has played almost as well as he can among the balls and still can't overcome you.

Luca should be thinking he had a chance there to even maybe win that session 6-2 to get on level terms. He missed a couple of pots.

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124 comments

  • Comment posted by goodnight, at 22:06 25 Apr

    Ronnie has gone through a few differant contrasting chapters, the returning to the table needing 20 snookers was maybe the funniest, the interviews have always been diverse, but ultimately the way this fella can rise to the ultimate tournements is perpetual and he seems better and more solid than ever. I hope he wins, he's fascinating to watch.

    • Reply posted by gary78, at 22:15 25 Apr

      gary78 replied:
      Its not uncommon for a player to have a few shots after his opponent has won the frame, its to warm his arms etc. up.

  • Comment posted by fame, at 22:05 25 Apr

    If you want to beat Ronnie, you have to take your chances!
    Brecel has real potential for the future though

    • Reply posted by Peter, at 23:52 25 Apr

      Peter replied:
      Certainly agree he has great potential, but like so many modern players, he has little flair or personality in his performances . The fans flock to see Ronnie or Judd for good reason.

  • Comment posted by Just Pete, at 21:59 25 Apr

    Nice one, Ronnie...

  • Comment posted by evernut, at 22:10 25 Apr

    Come on Ronald O , the undisputed GOAT.

    • Reply posted by TheNightmanCometh, at 22:44 25 Apr

      TheNightmanCometh replied:
      Stop calling disputed things undisputed.

  • Comment posted by keith, at 22:10 25 Apr

    Ronnie only playing 50% wait till he gets GOING

    • Reply posted by link2metroid, today at 00:04

      link2metroid replied:
      Are you talking about his trash talking mouth?

  • Comment posted by MF Doom, at 22:05 25 Apr

    Does Luca live on the 2nd Floor?

    • Reply posted by ToonArmyTino, at 22:08 25 Apr

      ToonArmyTino replied:
      He lives upstairs from me

  • Comment posted by The Time Lord, at 22:07 25 Apr

    Ronnie not on form; Luca failed to take advantage.

    All Ronnie's has to do is share the number of frames and he is there.

    Luca will find it difficult to come back and win two or three frames to one.

  • Comment posted by Zaqi, at 22:21 25 Apr

    The difference between the the top players and the rest is the top players never look like making mistakes and you know they won't. Even when Luca was playing well you knew there was a mistake in him, it was almost a given.
    Mistakes against the best will get punished! Come on Ronnie!

  • Comment posted by TealBubblyPrimrose, at 22:54 25 Apr

    SNOOKER would have died a long time ago without ROS

    • Reply posted by karetaker, at 22:59 25 Apr

      karetaker replied:
      It would of died had Alex Higgins not come along, but yeh O’Sullivan is keeping it alive.

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 22:57 25 Apr

    Interesting choice of commentators tonight - listening to two players who have been knocked out the tournament criticising the play of two players who are still in the tournament.

    • Reply posted by baz180, at 23:02 25 Apr

      baz180 replied:
      The clue's in the job description.

  • Comment posted by milanfan, at 22:09 25 Apr

    It would be an entertaining semi final if O’Sullivan played Si, as most of their frames would be open and quick.

  • Comment posted by MF Doom, at 22:05 25 Apr

    Seems to be cruising Ronnie, keep it up mate 👍

  • Comment posted by kraken, at 23:00 25 Apr

    I thought ROS was not at his physical best, I have a suspicion that he has a bit of an illness

  • Comment posted by Red Desert, at 23:31 25 Apr

    There's more phones going off in the venue than in a police incident room.

    • Reply posted by airwolf, today at 01:08

      airwolf replied:
      I really don't understand why this should happen. I suppose many have them on silent (or think they do) but how inconvenient is it really just to switch it off ??

  • Comment posted by Dave s, at 22:22 25 Apr

    Thought that brecel was like a better version of vafaei without the chat. Brecel had chances but some of his shot making was a bit wild & with better attention might be closer. Every champion has an off day unfortunately brecel couldn't make it count.

  • Comment posted by RichardRichard, at 23:27 25 Apr

    It seems like there are a lot more replays in this year's coverage. At some points it's one every shot for 6 or 7 shots in a row, during a break. Completely unnecessary and ruins the tension and enjoyment of watching the break building.

  • Comment posted by Sarmad, at 23:09 25 Apr

    the