Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter Set for Crucible Showdown
The World Snooker Championship is in full swing, with Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter set to continue their first-round match at the Crucible this afternoon. The Rocket, a seven-time world champion, carries a narrow lead into Wednesday’s action, leading 5-4.
According to a report by the Evening Standard, O’Sullivan has admitted to feeling low on confidence ahead of the match, having taken a three-month break from snooker. [1] In his own words, "I took time out because my game was pretty awful, so having more time out was probably not the best idea. Ali is a really good match player, and usually plays well at the Crucible." [1]
O’Sullivan, widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker players of all time, has not played a ranking event in 2025, having forfeited his final Championship League group match after losing to Robert Milkins. [1] He has won just twice since November, suffering 12 losses and withdrawing from four matches since.
Carter, on the other hand, is chasing a seventh career ranking title and will not offer an easy return to form for O’Sullivan. The British pair are long-time rivals, and their match is expected to be a closely contested one.
The match will be broadcast live on BBC Two and TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 1pm BST and 2:30pm respectively. [1] Viewers can also watch the match live online via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, or via the Discovery+ website and app for those with a TNT Sports subscription.
In the article published by the Evening Standard, it is reported that O’Sullivan said, "It is kind of stacked against me, but I have to start somewhere." [1] This highlights the challenges he faces in regaining his form and confidence.
The World Snooker Championship is one of the most prestigious events in the sport, and O’Sullivan’s participation is always highly anticipated. However, his recent form and confidence issues make this match particularly interesting.
As the match gets underway, fans will be eagerly watching to see if O’Sullivan can overcome his challenges and secure a win, or if Carter can capitalize on his opponent’s vulnerabilities and pull off an upset.
The article from the Evening Standard also mentions that there was just one frame to separate the pair following Tuesday’s opening to the match, with O’Sullivan leading early before a resurgent Carter battled back in the late stages to cut down a 51-point deficit. [1]
For those looking to watch the match, the schedule is as follows:
- TV channel: BBC Two and TNT Sports 1
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website, Discovery+ website and app
In conclusion, the stage is set for an exciting encounter between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter at the Crucible. With O’Sullivan’s confidence issues and Carter’s determination to win, this match promises to be a thrilling one.
