World Snooker Championship 2024 | Day Two Preview and Order of Play

Jonathan Davies in World Snooker Championship 20 April 2024

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World Snooker Championship 2024 | Draw, Live Scores and Schedule of Play

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David Gilbert dethrones Luca Brecel on opening day of the World Snooker Championship

Trump is 6-3 to the good against Hossein Vafaei (News Images LTD / Alamy Stock Photo)

Judd Trump looks to book his place in the World Championship last 16 while Mark Selby opens his Crucible campaign on Sunday.

Three former World champions headline the action on day two in Sheffield, while a debutant, two-time runner-up and two former semi-finalists are also on display.

Champion here in 2019 – and a winner of five ranking titles this season – Trump resumes his clash with Hossein Vafaei at 6-3 to the good.

The Ace took control in Saturday’s opening session by snatching two of the opening three frames on the black and, despite sitting through a wonderful break of 138 by his opponent, shared the next six to remain in command.

Tom Ford also holds a 6-3 lead over 2013 semi-finalist Ricky Walden as the first-time seed bids to record his maiden win at the Crucible.

Zhang Anda, who is back in Sheffield after an eight-year absence, is also seeking a first victory on this stage, but has work to do at 5-2 down against last year’s quarter-finalist Jak Jones.

It is much tighter in the clash between Ali Carter and Stephen Maguire – both of whom are making their 20th appearances at the main stages of this tournament.

The Captain was a 17-12 winner when they met in the semi-finals 12 years ago, and the two-time finalist is in the ascendancy once more this time around at 5-4 up.

Two former Crucible kings make their bow on day two in four-time winner Selby and 2005 victor Shaun Murphy.

The Jester, who was runner-up to Luca Brecel 12 months ago, begins his 20th successive appearance and latest bid for a fifth title against debutant Joe O’Connor in an all-Leicester clash.

Although he has reached at least the semi-finals in three of his last four Crucible appearances, it will be interesting to see how Selby fares after recently hinting he may quit the sport should his current performance and enjoyment levels not improve.

That will his encourage his fellow Leicester cueist, who is the only debutant at this year’s tournament and looking to reach the last 16 at a ranking event for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, Murphy is also appearing at the Crucible for a 20th year in succession – and 22nd overall.

The Magician was runner-up to Selby in 2021, but subsequently suffered back-to-back first-round exits in Sheffield.

Nevertheless, he has won 11 of the last 12 frames he has played against opponent Lyu Haotian, who is back for a fourth appearance.

Although, this season’s Wuhan Open semi-finalist knows what it takes to claim a scalp here, having beaten Marco Fu 10-5 on debut six years ago.

Play gets under way at 10am BST on Sunday with all first-round matches contested over the best of 19 frames – split across two sessions – at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

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