SEMIFINAL READY!
As I said last time, the quarterfinals at the Crucible are like a "final of the two-tables setup", with a new tournament beginning when we get to the semis' one-table layout.
The four contenders left have won 36 frames to get this far, but need another 35 to lift the trophy on Monday. For a 17-days event, only 5 left might feel like it's coming to an end, but there's plenty of snooker to be played before we know this year's World Champion. What to expect?
ZHAO XINTONG vs RONNIE O'SULLIVAN
I've said for weeks that I don't fancy him for the title, and the form he's shown so far hasn't changed my opinion. However, I think this match might surprise many that think like me but already feel like Zhao will be too much for O'Sullivan.
Ronnie's performance might be underappreciated in this event because we compare it to his own usually great levels, and maybe there's a bit of an overreaction to Xintong's performance because we haven't seen much of him since his ban and it's the first time he makes the semis in his career.
But being fair I think based on championship form that Ronnie has so far been the better player. Neither have been at their best, and Ronnie has struggled in the safety department where we'd think he'd have the edge over Xintong. But even in the scoring department, Zhao scored his only century of the championship in his first session on day two - O'Sullivan has scored 7 so far, second only to Judd Trump's 11.
It doesn't help either that Zhao Xintong - who in the past has taken some snooker advice from Ronnie - has never beaten his idol before. But if he wins this match he will enjoy being the first player to beat O'Sullivan in a Crucible semifinal since 2006.
MARK WILLIAMS vs JUDD TRUMP
I have stopped doubting the Class of 92 as they keep coming back and doing unprecedented things. At 50, Mark Williams beat fellow Class of 92 John Higgins to join the third member Ronnie O'Sullivan in the last four. A 13-12 quarterfinal win on the final black displayed the great and never ending competitive skills of the two.
The Class of 92 trio have contested against each other in countless finals, World Championships included. But the one final we've never seen in Sheffield is O'Sullivan versus Williams - one that we were denied in 2022 when Mark lost the semifinal to Judd Trump in a decider. Now, if O'Sullivan can beat Xintong by Saturday afternoon, destiny will give Williams a chance to put that right in the evening.
Judd Trump doesn't want to hear any of that, though. His season keeps getting bigger, he's now on a record 104 centuries for the season, leading the championship for that same stat and playing the best snooker out of anyone, just like he did all season.
Judd's been in this position before a couple times, arriving at this stage as favourite. In the past he has both done the job and stopped short. He's still my pick for this year, but what do we know... it's the Crucible after all!
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