Former winner Dennis Taylor issues verdict on Ronnie O'Sullivan's World Snooker Championship hopes

Winner of snooker’s most famous match in 1985, Taylor admits he was sceptical about Ronnie O’Sullivan’s chances of winning another world title until his two maximum breaks within the same match at the Saudi Arabia Masters, and world record effort of 153 earlier this season.

In an interview with BOYLE Sports, who offer snooker odds, Taylor has O’Sullivan second on his list of most likely trophy candidates, but issued a warning to ‘The Rocket’ who may be running out of time to become the outright ‘King of the Crucible’.

Taylor, who will be on commentary duties throughout the Championship with BBC Sport, has named title holder Zhao Xintong as his number one selection for this year’s crown.

Zhao goes into the event in red-hot form and as the outright favourite following a golden spell of results on the professional circuit over the past couple of months that have seen him complete an unprecedented clean sweep of Players Series titles.

The ‘Crucible Curse’ record books are against Asian’s first world champion, but Taylor believes the Chinese ace will be the player to break snooker’s most famous hex.

Northern Irishman Taylor said: “I’ll start with my two picks. I think that Zhao Xintong is going to beat the Crucible Curse. I think he's going to be the first player to defend his title. So that's my tip to win it.”

On O’Sullivan’s eighth world title bid: “He's running out of years”

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s first match victory at the Crucible came in the first round of the 1994 World Snooker Championship when he defeated Taylor, 10-6.

‘The Rocket’ - who made his debut the previous year during his rookie season - has been a main draw regular ever since, and is set for a record-extending 34th Crucible campaign in 2026.

It has been a frustrating few years on the professional circuit for snooker’s greatest of all-time having not lifted a trophy in over two years. But there have been real green shoots of recovery in recent weeks.

At his last top flight tournament outing - where he made that incredible 153 break - O’Sullivan reached the final of the World Open in Yushan, China, and was only denied the title by an inspired Thepchaiya Un-Nooh who fashioned a 147 in the title match.

Away from the pro tour, O’Sullivan won The John Virgo Trophy at Goffs in Ireland last weekend, whitewashing John Higgins, 6-0, in the final, albeit under a timed format.

The 50-year-old Englishman is Taylor’s second pick for the upcoming Crucible crown: “the second tip would be Ronnie to beat Stephen Hendry's record.

“He's held every other record except for the number of world titles. But to do it this year, he's going to have to play at the top of his game because he could run into John Higgins in the second round. And he can run into Zhao who beat him last year with a session to spare.

“I didn’t think Ronnie would be able to claim another title until he got the two maximum breaks in Saudi and then he went and made 153.

“He is still playing incredible snooker, and I am sure he’ll have put a lot of work in. He didn’t play in the last tournament (Tour Championship).

“So, he will give it a good run. He's running out of years really. The standard is getting higher and higher. But Zhao is my first choice, and Ronnie would be my second choice.”

Taylor salutes O’Sullivan, ‘the best ever’

Regardless of what happens in South Yorkshire over the coming weeks, Taylor is in no doubt that O’Sullivan is snooker’s GOAT.

With a record 41 ranking titles, 23 Triple Crown event titles, more maximum and century breaks in professional competition than anyone else, Taylor puts O’Sullivan a level ahead.

“He’s still the best that's ever been, by a mile, head and shoulders above anybody else” said the 77-year-old former world champion, who also won the Masters in 1987.

“I never thought anybody would be better than Steve Davis who dominated the game in the 80s. He was the first one to practice for multiple hours and to dominate for 10 years. But sure enough, Stephen Hendry came along and his long potting was better than Steve's and he dominated the next 10 years.

“It's so difficult to dominate for that length of time. What Ronnie has done in the game is incredible. I've played against him and I just love commentating on him. He's been brilliant for the game.”

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

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