It has been fairly common in recent years to discuss the winds of change blowing through the World Snooker Championship, but this year, with talk of the Crucible’s future being quieter than usual, it is on the baize where a significant shift might be poised to take place.
The usual suspects, for the most part, are still assembling in Sheffield for snooker’s most prestigious event. Some of them in quite imperious form too, but whereas a case can often be made for no more than three or four players to take home the ￡500,000 (US$663,280) top prize and world champion crown, this year there is a much more open field.
It is still headed in reputation by Ronnie O’Sullivan, who is still the sport’s big attraction as he maintains his ever-present record at the Crucible since turning professional in 1992.
Photo: AFP
However, O’Sullivan has not been seen on a table since January, withdrawing from multiple events and only admitting on the eve of the tournament that he intends to play.
His quest for an eighth world title begins on Tuesday against longtime rival Ali Carter, but there are plenty of stories before that enticing clash.
Yesterday, Kyren Wilson began his defense of the title against the Chinese sensation, Lei Peifan, with the sport’s “Crucible curse” also hanging over his head.
Photo: AFP
Since the tournament moved to Sheffield in 1977, no first-time winner has retained the title, and four of the last six first-time winners have fallen at the first hurdle, including Luca Brecel last year.
However, Wilson has thrived under the pressure of being world champion this season, winning four ranking titles and sitting second on the sport’s one-year ranking list.
The man he sits behind? Arguably the favorite this year, Judd Trump. The Bristolian has been the game’s standout player for most of the past year and starts his quest for a second world title on Tuesday against another promising Chinese player, Zhou Yuelong.
Trump and Wilson are aged 35 and 33, respectively, and as the sport’s two premier players, could be the duo to usher in a new era.
That is not to discount O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and particularly John Higgins. Last year, the latter’s spot in the world’s top 16 was under threat before a stunning run to the quarter-finals.
This year, Higgins arrives in Sheffield in form, having won two ranking titles — and as the world No. 3.
However, perhaps the real story this year is the prospect of a first Chinese world champion.
Those hopes have traditionally been carried by Ding Junhui. The 10th seed starts his bid for a maiden title against debutant Zak Surety tomorrow, but he is one of a record 10 players from China in Sheffield this year.
Among them is the 22-year-old Si Jiahui, a semi-finalist two years ago and now a seed.
Another player to watch is the 21-year-old Wu Yize, who faces Williams in his opening match.
However, the most intriguing of this year’s Chinese contingent is Zhao Xintong. Suspended in 2023 as part of a match-fixing investigation that almost engulfed snooker in China, Zhao returned as an amateur late last year, but has already become the first player to make a maximum on the amateur tour, and has come through qualifying.
His presence would be a huge talking point, but there is no doubt about his ability. Jimmy White last week said that Si, Wu and Zhao could be this generation’s O’Sullivan, Williams and Higgins.
Whether that breakthrough happens over the next 17 days or in the years ahead remains to be seen.
Snooker has craved new stars and new storylines for so long, and it appears the game might finally be on the verge of a new era.
It is now up to the old guard to show they are not quite finished just yet.
This year’s World Snooker Championship is to run from yesterday to May 5.
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