Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Today's action couldn't have started any better for Chris Wakelin as he has played two frames, won two frames.

The first was on the black, the second a wonderful break of 119 to move 8-2 ahead, five frames away from the finish line.

This match is in the top half of the draw and if eighth seed Mark Allen goes out here, it would mean Ronnie O'Sullivan, chasing an eighth world title, would be the only player in the top 10 in the world rankings left in the top half of the draw.

China's Si Jiahui, at 13th, would be the next highest and he faces world number 44 Ben Woollaston - who beat four-time champion Mark Selby in a very late finish past midnight earlier today.

We welcome your thoughts on today's snooker action. Who are you backing to win - or take giant strides towards the last eight? Who are you expecting to go all the way and lift the trophy?

Contact details can be found at the top of this post, and please make sure to put your name on all correspondence.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Michael Emons

Mark Allen has now lost four frames in a row - the last three yesterday and the first one today and now trails 7-2 against qualifier Chris Wakelin in the last 16.

It is the first to 13, so Wakelin could win the match with a session to spare if he wins six of the remaining seven frames to be played this morning.

If not, the pair would resume and play to a finish at 19:00 BST.

This latest frame lost for Allen would have been a painful one as Wakelin made a break of 27 to take it 70-56 on the black.

Former world number one Allen has twice lost in the semi-finals here, but he needs something special today to recover from this one.

Chris Wakelin made a strong start against Mark Allen on Thursday, carrying on from where he left off in round one when he beat 2010 world champion Neil Robertson.

The 33-year-old Englishman made four half-century breaks, including an 84 in frame six, as he took advantage of Northern Ireland's Allen being below his best.

This second eight-frame session is one that Allen probably needs to win if he is to stand a serious chance of finishing the job tonight, when the match is due to conclude.

On the other table, Iranian Vafaei, 30, is looking to take a step towards what would be a first appearance in the World Championship quarter-finals. Can he trouble one of the sport's masters in 50-year-old Williams?

They're nicely under way and we'll bring you updates during the session.

Ben Woollaston was almost as surprised as anyone that he got the better of his friend Mark Selby on Thursday night.

Selby struggled throughout the match and it meant Woollaston, who lost in round one on his only previous Crucible appearance 12 years ago, was able to see out a tense win.

Woollaston told BBC Four afterwards: "I'm in shock really. I never thought this day would come, winning a match at the Crucible, and against Mark, who except for Ronnie O'Sullivan is probably the king of the Crucible in recent times. It's an amazing win for me.

"Mark started with a century in the first frame and I thought 'here we go'. I just didn't want to be miles behind going into the second day.

"I was surprised that he broke down [when on a break] quite a few times. Even though he didn't play at his best, I was just a little bit more positive maybe and went for a few more shots, because I sensed that he wasn't at his best.

"I honestly didn't feel many nerves maybe until I got to eight frames, and then the nerves kick in - now all of a sudden I can win the match. Until you're out there, you don't realise how hard a ball looks, even if it's over the pocket."

10:00

• Mark Allen (8) 2-6 Chris Wakelin
• Mark Williams (6) v Hossein Vafaei

14:30

• John Higgins (3) 4-4 Xiao Guodong (14)
• Lei Peifan v Zhao Xintong

19:00

• Mark Williams (6) v Hossein Vafaei
• Mark Allen (8) 2-6 Chris Wakelin

We've got a full day's action in store, with Mark Allen and Chris Wakelin playing to a finish.

That means by tonight we'll know the first quarter-finalist at this World Championship.

Remember, these second-round matches are played across three sessions.

Scotland's four-time world champion John Higgins resumes his tussle with Xiao Guodong, which began brightly last night, and Wales' three-time winner Mark Williams faces Hossein Vafaei.

There's an all-Chinese second-round match too, starting this afternoon, as Lei Peifan, who shocked title holder Kyren Wilson in round one, tackles the hotly tipped Zhao Xintong.

Could there be a first Chinese world champion this year?

BBC Sport's Michael Emons has looked at how likely such a prospect might be. You can read that piece here.

Good morning and welcome back to the Crucible.

It's day seven and the field has been trimmed to 16 players, with Mark Selby the last man to fall in the first round.

If you were with us last night, you'd have taken in the drama of Selby suffering a surprise defeat against fellow Leicester man Ben Woollaston.

They finished shortly after midnight, so there will be a few bleary eyes around the famous venue today.

Woollaston's 10-8 victory over the four-time world champion was a result that showed how even the greats of the game can become vulnerable in this 17-day season finale.

BBC Sport

The 2025 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

BBC Sport has comprehensive live coverage of the championship on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and Red Button, while every match will be shown in full on iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.

The final takes place over two days starting on Sunday 4 May.

To read the full guide for draws, results and coverage, click here.

Image source, Getty Images

Get Inspired
#GetInspired

Why get into snooker, billiards and pool?

They are non-contact, indoor sports which can be played competitively or socially.

Who is it for?

Snooker, billiards & pool are skilful games that can be played by anyone, regardless of age, gender or ability.

Is there a cheap option?

Many clubs allow you to borrow equipment and membership fees can be inexpensive.

Is it good for my health and wellbeing?

Cue sports provide a fun and sociable way to stay active, improve your concentration and increase your strength and muscle control.

Can I take it to another level?

Once you've mastered the skills, you could enter local league matches and amateur level competitions across the country.

Is there a disability option?

Cue sports are very inclusive as the rules and equipment are the same for able-bodied and disabled players.

Is there a family option?

Many clubs welcome junior members. You can also play in teams and use a handicap scoring system.

Snooker, billiards and pool all offer different challenges, but from pubs to clubs to competition, they offer an accessible option for anyone hoping to pick up a cue.

It shouldn't be hard to find somewhere to hone your skills. What's more, an official snooker club finder, external was launched in 2018 to help you find the perfect place to play.