
Ronnie O’Sullivan took barely half an hour to wrap up victory in the first round of 2026 World Snooker Championship against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang and set up a tantalising last-16 clash against old rival John Higgins.
O’Sullivan, now 50 years old, began his quest to win a record eighth world title at the Crucible Theatre in style, having built a commanding 7-2 lead in the first session on Tuesday and not wasting any time in claiming the first three frames of Wednesday’s conclusion, including two centuries.