Image source, Getty Images

John Higgins nudges another step closer to the quarter-finals and then there's a slight delay to frame 22 because play has finished on the other table and Higgins was keen for the dividing screen to go up between frames.

It eventually does and we're under way again with Higgins needing two more frames, while Xiao Guodong will need three of the remaining four if he's going to make the last eight.

I mentioned play has finished on the other table - Zhao Xintong will take a 10-6 lead into the final session of his second-round match against fellow Chinese player Lei Peifan.

Over on table one, Zhao Xintong has guaranteed that he will have a lead going into Sunday morning's third session.

Zhao won the first two frames today against compatriot Lei Peifan to hold a 7-3 lead, before the pair have alternated frames, with Zhao winning the 14th 61-42.

He needs four frames, Lei needs eight.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

It's now the mid-session interval on table two and there have only been four frames completed in two hours 40 minutes between John Higgins and Xiao Guodong

The afternoon session starts at 14:30 BST, meaning Higgins and Xiao will have about an hour of play before their match is paused.

If it is not completed, they would have to come back tonight and play to a finish on the first table to become available after the scheduled evening matches have finished.

It could well be another long, long night at the Crucible.

It was a tricky pink, but Xiao showed a great touch to nudge it into the middle pocket and with it take a frame that lasted more than 62 minutes.

Higgins will be furious that he didn't snatch that frame, he had chances to do so.

All square again. Both men need three frames to book a place in the quarter-finals.

We're now at the hour-mark for this 20th frame. Both players will be kicking themselves if they don't win it. Higgins missed a thin cut on a red when 46-25 ahead, Xiao then missed a brown with the rest with only four balls remaining.

But Higgins has just left that brown on, Xiao potted that and blue but left himself a very tricky pink.

We've been going for 37 minutes in this 20th frame and with the last remaining red tight on the top cushion it's not going to be over any time soon.

John Higgins leads 46 to 25 over Xiao Guodong and 10-9 overall. This would be a massive moment if the Scot could find a way to go two frames clear and 11-9 up in a race to 13.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Michael Emons

You would be brave to bet against the above trio when looking to figure out who our 2025 world champion will be.

Ronnie O'Sullivan starts his last-16 tie with Pang Junxu at 14:30 BST, John Higgins is fighting hard and currently leading against Xiao Guodong while Judd Trump has to wait until tomorrow before he starts his match with reigning Masters champion Shaun Murphy in the standout tie of the second phase.

Trump (first), Higgins (third) and O'Sullivan (fifth) are the top three players in the world rankings left in this year's tournament after Kyren Wilson (second) and Mark Selby (fourth) both lost in round one.

John Higgins nudges ahead and is three away from the quarter-finals. He had looked in trouble when potting a red only to then sink the cue ball as well.

But Xiao gave a glimmer of hope when slightly undercooking a safety attempt to hide the yellow, Higgins then did superbly to pot it and was able to plot a route through to do the rest.

How will Xiao cope with being behind in the match now?

Over on table one, Lei Peifan has ensured the all-Chinese clash with Zhao Xintong will go to a third session on Sunday by taking the 11th frame, although he still trails 4-7.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Michael Emons

For those snooker fans that have come to Sheffield, they may be after some souvenirs to take home with them.

If so, head on over to Winter Garden where the official merchandise shop is based.

T-shirts, jumpers, pictures, posters, pens, mugs, bags, towels, fridge magnets, keyrings and a whole host of snooker accessories. There's some early Christmas presents to be bought there.

Image source, Michael Emons

Image source, Michael Emons

Zhao Xintong takes a hard-fought 37-minute second frame of the day and he's now won two of two on Saturday to stretch his lead 7-3.

Former UK Championship winner Zhao is classed as an amateur but will be a full-time player on the tour next season.

It comes following his return to the sport in September after serving a 20-month ban. He was one of 10 players from China to be punished in a match-fixing scandal.

He received the lightest penalty as he had not directly thrown a match but accepted charges of being a party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches himself.

Lei Peifan eliminated Kyren Wilson last Saturday in a dramatic final frame victory but is in trouble of being eliminated himself today.

John Higgins is off the mark on Saturday to get it back to 9-9. It has all the signs of going down to a final-frame decider later on.

He was 49-0 ahead, had to go safe after going into the pack and then missed a tough long red but it was not costly as Xiao Guodong failed to pot the same ball and the Scot took advantage to bring it level.

John Higgins gets to 44-0 in front in frame 18, but has no luck when going into the pack of reds, with nothing peeking out to try to pot so safe he goes.

He'll be furious with himself as that was a frame-winning chance, although he's still got the frame in his hands.

Xiao Guodong with a break of 77 to edge 9-8 ahead of John Higgins and inch closer to the finish line of 13.

Meanwhile on table one, Zhao Xintong has taken the opening frame of the second session against compatriot Lei Peifan to lead 6-3 thanks to a run of 69.

Zhao could win the match with a session to spare, but needs to win all seven frames still to be played.

Xiao Guodong with a great chance to edge ahead as he's on a break of 48 in the opening frame of the day against four-time champion John Higgins.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, PA Media

China have six players in the last 16 of this year's World Championship, more than any other nation - with five from England.

I spoke to Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), to find out how they have developed the sport in China.

"It's not just about major events in China, we've built Chinese snooker from the bottom up," said Ferguson.

"China embraced this sport and gave it a lot of love and care. The one thing China has got right is access to snooker facilities in schools and mainstream education. That's something we need here.

"The players are coming together in academies - there are three in Sheffield - and you find players playing against each other day in, day out and the standard of snooker is absolutely amazing."

• Read more of our feature on how China's rapid snooker growth has seen them target a world title.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Image source, Michael Emons

A week ago 32 players all had the same dream - to win the World Snooker Championship.

Seventeen of them have seen those dreams vanish, but 15 remain hopeful.

We have a super Saturday of action to look forward to with John Higgins, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, Luca Brecel and Ding Junhui among those in action.

Second round (first to 13)

10:00 BST

Lei Peifan 3-5 Zhao Xintong

John Higgins (3) 8-8* Xiao Guodong (14)

14:30 BST

Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) v Pang Junxu

Mark Williams (6) 9-7* Hossein Vafaei

19:00 BST

Si Jiahui (13) v Ben Woollaston

Luca Brecel (7) v Ding Junhui (10)

* - match played to a finish

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.