STAR SNOOKER PREVIEW: World Snooker Championship 2024

It is the most wonderful time of year for snooker fans: Saturday marks the start of the 17-day marathon when the 2024 World Snooker Championship gets underway at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, writes DANIEL PUDDICOMBE.

Expect shocks and drama, and if you’re watching at home, an arse-dent to have appeared in your sofa by the end of the event.

2024 World Snooker Championship
The Crucible, Sheffield
Live on BBC Two, BBC One, and iPlayer / Live on Eurosport HD and Eurosport

Past Winners:
2014: Mark Selby
2015: Stuart Bingham
2016: Mark Selby
2017: Mark Selby
2018: Mark Williams
2019: Judd Trump
2020: Ronnie O’Sullivan
2021: Mark Selby
2022: Ronnie O’Sullivan
2023: Luca Brecel

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It is easy to argue this year’s line-up of the 32 gladiators that will be fighting to lift that famous trophy on Bank Holiday Monday night is the most intriguing in several years. Perhaps the most interesting statistic is the average age of the competitors: for the first time in 40 years, the seeds’ average age is 40, while the qualifiers are just a few months younger than in 2021, making this the oldest World Championship ever, which only goes to reenforce the longevity of the top players these days.

There’ll be just the one debutant walking down those famous steps to a rapturous applause from the 900 or so golden ticket holders: Joe O’Conner, who faces fellow Leicester man Mark Selby; a stern test for the 28-year-old. Although Selby has had ups and downs this season, he recorded a fabulous six-nill whitewash against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 2024 Players Championship, plus the ‘Jester’ thrives on the longer matches.

Speaking of ‘The Rocket’, he will, of course, start his Crucible campaign as one of the favourites. He won his eighth UK Championship and Masters titles this season, so can he make it a historic eight, eight, eight? Only time will tell on that front, but has a great record against his first-round opponent, Jackson Page; they’ve met twice in professional events but on both occasions, O’Sullivan was the victor.

Surely the highlight of the first-round clashes has to be the man of the season Judd Trump taking on Hossein Vafaei? The Iranian cueman loves taking on the biggest names – who can forget his box-office bout with Ronald this time last year? – and both players play a very attacking game, so don’t expect much, if any, safety play. They’ve met 11 times in the past in the record is stacked in the ‘Ace in the Pack’’s favour, so Vafaei will be keen to get on over on the Bristol man.

Another top match will be Ding Junhui against Lisowski, who was forced to qualify this year after dropping out of the top 16. It could be argued both men have a point to prove: Ding, as ever, will carry the expectations of a nation on his shoulders, while at 32, Lisowski is still yet to win a ranking event after coming so close on many occasions. Unlikely as it is, wouldn’t it be nice if he were to clinch his title at the Crucible?

All eyes will be on Si Jiahui: he qualified after winning 10 frames on the bounce against Wu Yize, and of course, last year made a heroic run to the semi-finals. Can he go one better this year or will he face the difficult second album syndrome? Either way, he has a tough opening best of 19 frame match against Mark Williams. The Welsh Potting Machine finally – finally – beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in a ranking final earlier this month and is in great form, even if he declares that he’d rather be playing golf half the time!

Since lifting the trophy a year ago, Luca Brecel has a season that can be best described as ‘mediocre’ and he’ll have the infamous Crucible Curse to contend with, too, not to mention a formidable first-round opponent in Dave Gilbert.

One name that is missing from the list for the first time in two decades is Neil Robertson, who was knocked out by Jamie Jones in a thrilling final-frame decider. Jones faces John Higgins, while the other J Jones – Jak – takes on another Chinese hotshot in Zhang Anda.

Elsewhere, Barry Hawkins, who won the European Masters right at the start of the season, takes on Ryan Day in what will be another thrilling match, while Dominic Dale will be playing in the final stages of the tournament for the first time in a decade as he takes on Kyren Wilson.

Whatever happens over the course of the 17 days, enjoy the twists and turns – there’s nothing quite like the World Championship at the famous venue in the Steel City.

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PROFIT/LOSS (APR 2024): -14.47 POINTS

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