Ronnie O'Sullivan through to semi-finals of World Seniors Snooker Championship on debut

Snooker’s greatest player of all time O’Sullivan is making his debut at seniors level in this flagship tournament and was returning to the Crucible stage less than a fortnight since being ousted by fellow ‘Class of 92’ graduate John Higgins in the last 16 of the world professional championship.

As the number four seed, 50-year-old O’Sullivan began his campaign in round two where he faced former practice partner Ken Doherty who pipped Gerard Greene on a black ball tiebreaker the round before.

'The Rocket' wasted little time adapting to the conditions as breaks of 42 and 56 helped him to the opening frame. An effort of 52 assisted O'Sullivan to the second before he reached the hill at 3-0 up.

Doherty - winner of the world junior, amateur and professional world titles - got on the scoreboard and averted a whitewash with frame four, but O'Sullivan progressed to the last eight following a break of 93 in the fifth.

Returning to the baize a few hours later, O'Sullivan's next assignment was against a former winner of this crown, Peter Lines.

Currently off the professional tour, Lines saw off Anthony Hamilton in round one before causing an upset in defeating Stuart Bingham, 4-2.

In what was a rapid contest and great advert for seniors snooker, O'Sullivan deposited the first frame with an 84, but Lines - who has a positive head-to-head record over his opponent in professional play - crafted runs of 69 and 93 to move 2-1 up.

But O'Sullivan - needing to win three successive frames in order to avoid a black ball tiebreaker - did so, potting some wonderful balls in efforts of 109, 65 and 70 to advance into the semi-finals.

Waiting for O'Sullivan in the last four - which will be played within the one-table set-up at the Crucible - was Robert Milkins who eliminated the champion from two years ago Igor Figueiredo, 4-1, with breaks of 50, 58 and 72.

In the bottom half of the draw, reigning British Seniors Open champion and number two seed Joe Perry was also on double duty on Friday, dispatching former winner of this crown and last year's runner-up Aaron Canavan 4-2, before a 4-1 win over Matthew Stevens in the quarter-finals.

Perry will meet Craig Steadman in the other semi-final fixture as the current European Seniors Champion caused a mini upset by ousting Ali Carter 4-3 on a tiebreaker.

Saturday’s semi-finals in Sheffield are the best of 13 frames, although once again, if the score is 6-6, the outcome will be decided on a black ball.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship, visit our tournament information centre here.