Ronnie O’Sullivan made his debut at a World Seniors Snooker Championship on Friday – securing a brace of victories in the 2026 event at the Crucible Theatre.
Less than two weeks after exiting the main tour’s World Snooker Championship, O’Sullivan returned to Sheffield for his first-ever appearance at a seniors tournament.
The 50 year-old faced Ken Doherty in the last 16, an opponent he first encountered competitively all the way back in 1992.
O’Sullivan looked rusty after claims that he hadn’t practiced since losing to John Higgins in a dramatic round-of-16 World Championship tie at the end of April.
But despite struggling with the conditions of the table, the Rocket still successfully launched his title bid with a 4-1 defeat of the Irishman.
In the quarter-finals, O’Sullivan then fought his way back from behind to edge Peter Lines with a 4-2 scoreline.
Lines established a 2-1 advantage and looked on course to cause an upset, but breaks of 109 and 65 helped O’Sullivan to turn the match back in his favour.
O’Sullivan’s triumphs came either side of being officially awarded with five new Guinness World Records accolades – bringing his total to 19.
Among the records officially ratified was his magnificent 153 total clearance with the use of a free ball, which he compiled at the World Open in March.
The seven-time world champion will look to add another snooker title to his huge collection this weekend with two more wins on the baize separating him from a maiden world seniors crown.
Next up in the semi-finals on Saturday will be Robert Milkins, who ousted 2024 champion Igor Figueiredo in the quarter-finals.
Milkins, who pipped Jimmy White in a black-ball shoot out in the previous round, beat the Brazilian 4-1 to reach the last four.
The semi-final on the other side of the draw will be another all-English affair, with Joe Perry clashing with Craig Steadman.
Perry already boasts seniors silverware from this season following his success at the British Seniors Open in December.
The Gentleman edged Aaron Canavan in the last 16 before defeating fellow former ranking event winner Matthew Stevens 4-1 in the last eight.
Steadman, meanwhile, secured back-to-back deciding-frame victories in the competition after pipping both Nigel Bond and Ali Carter with re-spotted blacks.
In a twist to the rules for this event, the outcome of all deciding frames this year will be determined through a re-spotted black rather than a traditional frame.
Steadman’s win over Bond wasn’t without controversy, though, with the latter losing as a result of being timed out amid the 30-second shot clock.
Both semi-finals will take place on Saturday over the best-of-13 frames, with live coverage continuing across the 5 platform in the UK, and on Pluto TV in selected regions.
The 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship carries a top prize of £30,000.
Click here: full draw and schedule
Featured photo credit: Guinness World Records
