Crucible debutant Daniel Wells is showing his break-building skills in his match with 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy.

Wells made a 131 clearance in frame two and has just recorded his second century with a run of 109 in frame seven.

It has been high-quality stuff as there has been a break of at least 50 in every frame, with Murphy 5-2 ahead, although Welshman Wells will be keen to win the final two frames of the session.

Over on table one, Pang Junxu has just compiled a break of 71, the best of the match, and trails fellow Chinese player Zhang Anda 3-2.

Table two is in the seventh frame of the day, with Shaun Murphy 5-1 ahead against Daniel Wells. But we're three frames behind and in the mid-session interval on table one.

Zhang Anda lost the opening frame, but now holds a 3-1 advantage over compatriot Pang Junxu.

There are a scheduled five frames to take place in the rest of the first session, but, unless they can speed up, they may be hauled off before all nine frames can be played.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Image source, Michael Emons

It has already been a great season for Shaun Murphy after he won the Masters at Alexandra Palace in London in January.

Can he follow that with what would be a second world title, 20 years after his first Crucible success?

The Masters-World double is not often completed. Judd Trump was the last player to do it in 2018-19 and he was the first since Mark Williams in 2002-03 to win both.

Stephen Hendry claimed the double in four seasons in the 1990s, with Steve Davis (in 1987-88) the only other man to do so since the Crucible has hosted the World Championship.

Murphy has been in fine form so far today and has just rattled in a superb century clearance of 138 to storm into a 5-1 lead over debutant Daniel Wells.

There's no doubting today's main event - as Ronnie O'Sullivan takes on Ali Carter, with the first session beginning at 14:30 BST before the second session on Wednesday afternoon.

The match is a repeat of the 2008 and 2012 finals, both of which were comfortably won by O'Sullivan, who also defeated Carter in the final of the Masters in 2024.

Carter, who had to win two qualifying matches to get to the Crucible, said on BBC Two: "I've had to do it the hard way. The game is always in a better place when Ronnie is competing and it's a great opportunity for me to play on the big stage and that's where I want to be.

"There's no pressure on me and I have to go out and enjoy it and see what happens."

Seven-time world champion O'Sullivan has not played in a ranking tournament in 2025 and said: "Ali is a tremendous match player, capable of beating anybody. I don't see it as a grudge match, I have really good matches with Ali and sometimes it is heat of the moment stuff.

"You have to say Ali is favourite considering I've not played much since December. I will give it my best and just see if I can make a game of it and that will be a victory in itself."

Those on the table two side of the arena have been treated to some excellent snooker so far today as Shaun Murphy holds a 3-1 lead over Crucible debutant Daniel Wells at the mid-session interval.

There has been a break of at least 60 in every frame as Murphy has made runs of 64, 63 and 100, while Wells, ranked 49th in the world, compiled an excellent clearance of 131 in frame two.

It has been a more scrappy affair on table one. Pang Junxu took a frame that lasted more than 40 minutes to take the opener before 12th seed Zhang Anda levelled it at 1-1 with a break of 68.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Image source, Michael Emons

What a tournament it has been for China as they already have three men into the last 16 with at least another one guaranteed as Pang Junxu takes on Zhang Anda (currently level at 1-1).

Later today, Si Jiahui and Ding Junhui will be aiming to also advance as they play the second sessions of their matches against English pair David Gilbert and Zak Surety respectively, with both Chinese players leading 6-3.

Ten of the 32 at the Crucible this year come from China, a country that is still searching for its first world champion.

Ding has been the one who has come closest to lifting snooker's biggest prize, losing 18-14 to Mark Selby in the 2016 final.

Wales' Daniel Wells, the world number 49, had to win three qualifying matches to get to the Crucible for the first time in his career, with 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy his first-round opponent.

Murphy took the opening frame of the day with a break of 64 along the way, but what a moment for Wells just now as he produces a superb clearance of 131 to make it 1-1.

That's on table two, but it is slow progress on table one as the all-Chinese clash between Pang Junxu and Zhang Anda is still in the opening frame and already at the 40-minute mark, with a safety battle on the yellow.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Image source, Michael Emons

Day four of the 2025 World Snooker Championship and what a day it promises to be.

Seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan takes on Ali Carter - the man he beat in two of those finals - in the highlight of the day.

Two further world champions are also in action on Tuesday with Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump up against Daniel Wells and Zhou Yuelong respectively.

Two matches will be played to a finish today and it could continue an excellent championship for China as Ding Junhui and Si Jiahui both hold 6-3 leads against Zak Surety and David Gilbert.

10:00 BST

• Zhang Anda v Pang Junxu
• Shaun Murphy v Daniel Wells

14:30 BST

• Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter
• Ding Junhui 6-3 Zak Surety*

19:00 BST

• Si Jiahui 6-3 David Gilbert*
• Judd Trump v Zhou Yuelong

*match to be played to a finish

BBC Sport

The 2025 World Snooker Championship started at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on Saturday, with defending champion Kyren Wilson beaten by Lei Peifan on the opening day.

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.