A 62 break for Xiao Guodong puts him on the brink of the second round.

Once the mid-session interval is completed, the world number 14 will need just one of the remaining six frames to reach the last 16.

On the other table, Xiao Guodong is now just two frames away from victory against Matthew Selt after winning frame 12.

You can watch coverage of both matches - and the coverage on BBC Two - via the "Watch and listen" tab at the top of this page.

Shaun Murphy
2005 world champion on BBC Two

Image source, PA Media

Zhao Xintong is a great player, we've talked about it so many times. He's mopped those balls up with consummate ease. He's so easy on the eye.

We will have to make the point though that Jak Jones really only has himself to blame. He's made a couple of mistakes, he would be the stronger player in the tactical department and he has forced some opportunities, but then he's missed simple balls.

He's got a bit to think about at the interval.

Jak Jones misses a black off the spot early in frame four and Zhao Xintong takes full advantage, compiling a 91 break to take a two-frame lead into the mid-session interval.

That's much better from Jak Jones, who constructs a fine break of 99 to get his first frame on the board.

The 2024 runner-up misses out on a century - the green rattles in the jaws and stays up - but he is well past the winning line by that stage.

Xiao Guodong gets 48-0 in front in frame 11 but misses a long red.

Matthew Selt clears the table with a break of 83 and he's now back to 7-4 behind in this first-to-10 encounter.

Image source, Getty Images

Jak Jones gets in first at the start of the second frame but then misses a relatively straightforward pink.

Zhao Xintong has a lead of 27 points with two reds remaining. When a Jones safety leaves a red over the corner, Zhao takes advantage to move 2-0 in front.

The first step on the way to a comeback?

Matthew Selt wins the opening frame of the concluding session, a break of 54 putting the Englishman in control of the frame.

Xiao Guodong came back to the table requiring a couple of snookers, but Selt saw off those attempts to move back within four frames of his Chinese opponent.

You won't see too many more attacking players than Zhao Xintong at the Crucible this year.

The 28-year-old from China gets out of the blocks quickly, clearing up with a break of 84 to take the opening frame against Jak Jones.

Image source, PA Media

Xiao Guodong needs three more frames to book his place in the last 16 of the World Championship.

The world number 14 from China has a 7-2 lead over English qualifier Matthew Selt, who made century breaks in each of the two frames he won.

The winner of this match will play either John Higgins or Joe O'Connor in round two.

Zhao Xintong is among the favourites to win this year's World Championship, despite the fact that the former UK Championship winner is appearing as an amateur at the event.

Zhao was one of 10 players banned in 2023 following an investigation into match-fixing. He did not directly throw a match but was initially suspended for two and a half years, reduced to 20 months after his early admissions and guilty plea.

He accepted charges of being a party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches himself.

Zhao completed his suspension earlier this season and his performances on the Q Tour have earned him a tour card back among the professional ranks for 2025-26.

Jak Jones was a surprise runner-up in last year's World Championship.

The Welshman, who was ranked 44th in the world at the start of the event, defeated former world champions Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham on his way to the final.

He lost 18-14 to Kyren Wilson but his run to the Crucible showpiece catapulted him into the world's top 16.

Should Jones get through a very tricky first-round tie against Zhao Xintong, he will face Wilson's conqueror Lei Peifan in the second round.

BBC Two

The four players are being introduced to the Crucible crowd by MC Rob Walker.

Coverage is under way on BBC Two, which is one of the available viewing options at the top of this page.

If there is a particular match you would like to follow, then dedicated coverage of the action on each of the two tables can also be found via the "Watch and listen" tab.

Shaun Murphy
2005 world champion on BBC Two

I was surprised, but anyone who follows the snooker closely knows what a great player Lei Peifan is. He's the Scottish Open champion this year and that was a tough draw for Kyren.

It was a very good match, the most impressive part for me was when Lei swung it from 6-2 down to 9-6 up, and then it went wrong for him, but Lei stayed positive and kept going for his shots.

In the end he was a worthy winner.

10:00

• Jak Jones (16) v Zhao Xintong
• Xiao Guodong (14) 7-2 Matthew Selt*

14:30

• Mark Allen (8) v Fan Zhengyi
• Mark Williams (6) 5-4 Wu Yize*

19:00

• Neil Robertson (9) 2-7 Chris Wakelin*
• Barry Hawkins (11) 5-4 Hossein Vafaei*

*match to be played to a finish

After Lei Peifan's victory on Saturday, four more players will secure spots in the last 16 of this year's World Championship on Sunday.

In Sunday's early session, we will get our first glimpse at Jak Jones - the player Kyren Wilson beat in last year's final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport

Debutant Lei Peifan stunned defending champion Kyren Wilson by fighting back from 6-2 down to triumph 10-9 as the 'Crucible curse' struck again.

Wilson becomes the 20th player to succumb to the so-called curse, with no first-time winner able to retain the world crown since the tournament moved to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in 1977.

"It is really hard to take. I gave it my all and Lei came out extremely positive this evening and potted some incredible balls," Wilson told BBC Sport.

"It really hurts to be honest. As a debutant he held himself together incredibly well and I'd like to wish him all the best for the rest of the tournament.

"He seems like quite a cool character. He showed no emotion at all."

Joe Johnson (1987) and Ken Doherty (1998) came the closest to breaking the 'curse' but fell at the final hurdle.

Wilson added: "It's obviously been built up into something it's not, because other players have gone on to win it. I'm sure it'll be broken at some point but unfortunately I won't be that person."

What else happened on Saturday? Read more here.

Well that was a dramatic start, wasn't it?

We're one day into a 17-day marathon at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and, for the second year in succession, the defending champion has been knocked out of the event on the opening day...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport

The 2025 World Snooker Championship gets under way at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on Saturday, with Kyren Wilson bidding to retain his title.

The Englishman defeated Jak Jones 18‍–‍14 in the 2024 final to win his maiden world championship.

Seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan, who has been struggling with health issues, has yet to decide if he will play in a 33rd consecutive edition of the tournament.

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.