Igor Figueiredo and Aaron Canavan both won their opening matches as the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship commenced on Wednesday evening.
Many people would have been forgiven for thinking that the action at the Crucible Theatre was over following Wu Yize’s dramatic 18-17 defeat of Shaun Murphy in the World Championship final on Monday.
But the iconic Sheffield venue is also acting as the host for this week’s blue-riband event on the World Seniors Snooker Tour.
An increased field of 24 players is involved, including several marquee newcomers to the circuit like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter.
They are among the top eight seeds who have been given byes straight through to the last 16 of the competition.
On Wednesday, then, the round of 24 got going with 2024 seniors king Figueiredo and 2018 champion Canavan both safely negotiating their opening hurdles.
Figueiredo, who beat Ken Doherty in the final a couple of years ago to land the most prestigious title of his career, overcame Mohamed Elkhayat with a 4-2 scoreline.
The Brazilian will take on top seed Alfie Burden in the next round, the latter hoping to successfully defend the crown he claimed a year ago.
Canavan was the beaten finalist in 2025, and the 50 year-old from Jersey will have aspirations of going one better this time around after beating Reanne Evans 4-2.
Elsewhere, there was the tournament’s first notable shock with former world number ten Tony Drago – a quarter-finalist 12 months ago – losing 4-2 to Australian Roger Farebrother.
Craig Steadman recorded the most convincing victory of the opening evening of play, the former professional thumping Neal Jones with a whitewash display.
Farebrother and Steadman will face Ali Carter and Nigel Bond in the last 16 respectively.
The remaining ties from the round of 24 take place on Thursday afternoon with record four-time world seniors champion Jimmy White among those entering the fray.
The People’s Champion plays Daniel Ward in the first round with Ken Doherty, Dominic Dale, and Anthony Hamilton also in action.
Pre-tournament favourite O’Sullivan doesn’t open his account until Friday afternoon, when he’ll face either Doherty or Gerard Greene for a spot in the quarter-finals.
A tournament and tour that is seemingly always tinkering with formats and new innovations, this edition of the World Seniors Snooker Championship has been no different.
The introduction of the Riley Aristocrat table, complete with blinding white cushions, certainly divided the opinions of those watching.
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Featured photo credit: WST
