No player has won the world title on eight occasions in the modern era, with O'Sullivan aiming this year to move clear of Stephen Hendry's seven successes.

Can he move a step closer today, or will Ali Carter stop him in his tracks?

Here come the players now, the Crucible stage is set...

Image source, Getty Images

Two years ago, Luca Brecel became the first player from mainland Europe to win the world title.

The 30-year-old from Belgium is currently seventh in the world but, after a poor couple of years since becoming world champion and with that 2023 Crucible prize money coming off his record at the end of the tournament, he desperately needs a good performance this time around - otherwise he could find himself well down the ranking list.

His first-round match is against Ryan Day of Wales - the 45-year-old is a four-time ranking event winner and can be a formidable opponent when on top form.

Mark Allen
Former Masters and UK champion on BBC Two

Ronnie looked a bit shaky at the start [of the first session] which is understandable because he's had a few months off. They'll both be happy with how that session ended up.

He potted one long one and made a break from it, but in general his long-potting was a mile off. In the balls, he looked as good as ever and that's always going to be the case with Ronnie.

It [playing with a new cue] takes time, especially out there in the match arena. It plays different to in practice conditions.

Ronnie O'Sullivan made his return to snooker and secured a one-frame lead over Ali Carter after the opening session of their World Championship first-round match.

The seven-time world champion recovered from losing the opening frame to take a 5-4 advantage, needing five more frames for victory when the match resumes this afternoon.

He hit a break of 107 to move 3-1 in front with the 1,283rd century break of his career and his 208th at the Crucible. He had a chance for another century, only to falter at 85 after missing a red into the middle pocket.

O'Sullivan looked on course to gain a 6-3 advantage, but missed a long red when 46-5 ahead, with Carter recovering to take the last frame of the session.

Whoever comes through today's match will face Pang Junxu in the second round in Sheffield.

Pang won at the Crucible for the first time in his career earlier, surprising 12th seed Zhang Anda 10-7 in an all-Chinese encounter.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Michael Emons

With the Zhang v Pang match overrunning, it has been a quick turnaround with those who had tickets for the morning session quickly leaving the arena, while those here to watch the afternoon session waited patiently in the Sheffield sun.

And what a session to have tickets for.

Image source, Michael Emons

Image source, Michael Emons

As ever, we would love to hear your thoughts on today's snooker action, who you are backing to win today and who you think could go all the way and lift the trophy this year.

Contact details can be found at the top of this post, and make sure to put your name on all correspondence. That 'anon' malarkey might wash with some of our colleagues but not with us.

Image source, PA Media

Here's what we've got for you from 14:30 BST.

We'll have dedicated live text coverage of Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter on Table One, while we will also bring you updates from the match on Table Two between 2023 champion Luca Brecel and Ryan Day.

And of course, you can click the "Watch & Listen" tab to take your pick of our TV coverage options or catch up on the morning session.

Welcome to our coverage of the afternoon session of day five at the 2025 World Snooker Championship.

It's nearly time for Ronnie O'Sullivan, folks...

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Twelfth seed Zhang Anda is out of the competition, losing 10-7 to fellow Chinese player Pang Junxu.

The match has only just finished in time and if Zhang had won the 17th frame then the pair would have had to come back tonight to finish it off.

But 27th-ranked Pang gained his first Crucible win after losing in the first round in each of the past two years.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Welsh qualifier Daniel Wells, after his 10-4 loss to Shaun Murphy, said: "I tried to embrace it and do the best I could. Shaun was absolutely fantastic and put me under unbelievable pressure and every mistake I made was magnified by his brilliant play.

"Making the century breaks on my debut was something I was proud of. I have a never-say-die attitude, I keep trying until the end.

"I imagined the Crucible to be even smaller, I really enjoyed the set-up and I found it nice, I really enjoyed it. I'm not used to playing in front of big crowds, I've learned a lot and hopefully I can come back and put in a better performance next time.

"Next season I'm going to try to practice with Shaun, if he'll have me. He played at a level that's higher than what I'm used to playing with."

On how he has battled back in his career, he added: "Three years ago I was cleaning toilets so I have to take these positives and will work as hard as I can to be back.

"You see the Crucible on TV as a child and it was every bit as special as I imagined and something I have ticked off the list for my career.

"Everyone says 'have you played at the Crucible?' When I walked out and saw my family, it was a really proud moment."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Shaun Murphy, speaking about his 10-4 win over Daniel Wells, said: "There's nothing better, particularly here. You look forward to this day for 12 months and you want to prepare well and play well, it doesn't always happen.

"This was a really high-quality match. I must give massive respect to Dan. He's a really nice guy and he didn't play like a debutant. I've been coming here for years and he made three centuries and on another day, with a bit more experience, he might've won that match or beaten someone else. We might be seeing the best batch of debutants.

"The hunger and desire never goes away, I'm still trying but you can lose you way in life and sport. Working with Peter [Ebdon] has refocused me on everything else.

"Champions do not think like everyone else. For a while I started thinking like everyone else and saw myself as a bit of a draw-filler in major events. Now I've had a complete 180, now I believe again and that makes me dangerous.

"I've come here this year with my game in the best shape it has been in and if I get my chances I could be a handful for anybody."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

In the all-Chinese first-round-tie between Zhang Anda and Pang Junxu, it's 7-6 to Zhang with at least three more frames to come.

Just like yesterday, it has been slow progress and the clock is ticking with the afternoon session starting at 14:30 BST.

They have about an hour more before officials will be looking to pause the match and clear the arena and get it ready for the afternoon's play.

If needed, the match will be concluded tonight, after the scheduled evening's action has been finished.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Reigning Masters champion Shaun Murphy moved into the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship with a 10-4 victory in a high-quality match with Crucible debutant Daniel Wells.

Murphy, 42, is aiming to win a second world title 20 years after his first success but could face world number one Judd Trump in the next round.

Against Welsh qualifier Wells, the Sheffield crowd were treated to a fine display of snooker with every frame seeing a break of at least 50, including six centuries - three from each player.

Murphy won the Masters in January and is looking to become the first player since Trump in 2018-19 to win that tournament and the World Championship in the same season.

After Tuesday's first session, Murphy held a 7-2 lead and extended that with a break of 53, to move two frames from victory.

But Wells, 49th in the world, made excellent breaks of 115 and 68 to pull two frames back, before Murphy moved one frame away with a superb run of 133. He then clinched the victory with a break of 71 in the final frame.

Trump leads China's Zhou Yuelong 6-3 in their first-round tie, which will be completed on Wednesday evening (19:30 BST).

Will we see a break of at least 50 in every frame of the Shaun Murphy v Daniel Wells match?

We're on course for just that after Wells hit a 68 to win back-to-back frames, while Murphy has stormed back with a superb 133 in the 13th frame.

One more frame needed for the 2005 world champion to advance.

Crucible debutant Daniel Wells has now won three frames in his match with Shaun Murphy - and claimed each one in style.

After breaks of 131 and 109 yesterday, he has once again shown his break-building quality with an effort of 115.

He needs one more century to equal the record from a debutant, a level that was only set yesterday with Zak Surety's four centuries in his 10-7 loss to Ding Junhui.

We are playing catch-up on table one as the all-Chinese affair between Zhang Anda and Pang Junxu could only fit in eight frames yesterday, instead of the expected nine because of slow play.

Pang raced through the opening frame of today with a break of 111, the best of the match.

They've got until about 1.45pm to finish the match, if not they will have to conclude it in today's evening session on whatever table comes free first after the scheduled matches have finished.

Shaun Murphy was in superb form yesterday, winning seven of the nine frames in his match with Daniel Wells and the 2005 world champion has continued today with a break of 53 to take the 10th frame, meaning he only needs another two for victory.

The 53 today means there has been a break of at least 50 in every frame of the match so far.

Murphy was clearly in a relaxed mood earlier, coming in to the media centre to have a chat with World Snooker Tour's media team just before walking out into the arena.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Michael Emons

Welcome to Sheffield for day five of the World Snooker Championship and what a day we have in store.

Five world champions are in action as Shaun Murphy, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump will look to convert their first-session advantages into wins, while Luca Brecel and Mark Selby begin their campaigns.

Image source, Michael Emons

Image source, Michael Emons

First round (best of 19 frames / first to 10)

10:00 BST

Zhang Anda 5-3 Pang Junxu

Shaun Murphy 7-2 Daniel Wells*

14:30

Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Ali Carter*

Luca Brecel v Ryan Day

19:00

Mark Selby v Ben Woollaston

Judd Trump 6-3 Zhou Yuelong*

*played to a finish