Ronnie O’Sullivan Starts Quest for Eighth World Championship Title with Dominant Opening Win Over He Guoqiang

Ronnie O’Sullivan began his quest for a record-breaking eighth World Snooker Championship title with a dominant opening session against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

The 50-year-old Englishman took the first five frames and held a 7-2 advantage overnight, needing only three frames for victory when the match resumed on Wednesday at 14:30 BST.

O’Sullivan immediately impressed with calm and controlled play, building a 4-0 lead in the first half of the afternoon session. He extended his advantage by winning the fifth frame before He Guoqiang found some rhythm and won two frames in a row to move within three of the seven-time champion.

However, O’Sullivan responded by claiming the final two frames of the session, recording a winning break of 86 in the final frame to secure the 7-2 lead. Earlier breaks of 72, 97 and 113 had helped establish his early dominance, with additional contributions of 52 and 86 in the closing frames.