Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Pang Junxu Preview & Prediction | 2025 World Snooker Championship | Second Round

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Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan bulldozed his way past Ali Carter in the first round and now faces Chinese qualifier Pang Junxu.

Start date/time: Saturday 26th April, 2025: UK – 2:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am

How to watch on TV: UK – BBC & TNT Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & discovery+ / US – Cannot be streamed

Tickets: Visit here for the latest ticket information

Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Pang Junxu prediction

Despite his absence from competitive snooker since January, Ronnie O’Sullivan looked every bit the title contender in the first round as he recorded a 10-4 victory over Essex rival Ali Carter.

It was nip and tuck after the first session with the Rocket holding a 5-4 advantage overnight, but he turned on the style when the players returned on Wednesday, making three centuries in a scintillating display of scoring.

The seven-time champion will next take on Chinese qualifier Pang Junxu, who recorded his first ever Crucible victory in a 10-7 win over Zhang Anda in the first round, coming from behind to defeat his compatriot.

Junxu has recorded a couple of career wins over O’Sullivan, including their most recent at the International Championship last year, but the Rocket won their only previous World Championship match 10-7 in 2023 and is undoubtedly the heavy favourite over a longer format.

Given how impressive he was against Carter, especially in that second session, we fancy O’Sullivan to record a comfortable victory on his way to the quarter-finals.

Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Pang Junxu tip: Ronnie O’Sullivan to win with -3.5 frames handicap