TIANJIN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 09: Ronnie O'Sullivan of England plays a shot in the quarter-final match against Ali Carter of England on Day 5 of the 2023 International Championship at the Tianjin People's Stadium on November 9, 2023 in Tianjin, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
Reigning champion Luca Brecel is out after losing to David Gilbert on the first day, while 2023 finalist Mark Selby has also been eliminated in the first round by Joe O’Connor in shocking way.
Judd Trump, the world number two, advanced to the second round after defeating Hossein Vafaei 10-5, while fellow Brit Ali Carter was eliminated in the first round by Stephen Maguire.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will have to wait until Wednesday to make his Crucible return, when he faces Jackson Page in round one.
Potting purist Shaun Murphy has warned whining Hossein Vafaei to stop going to the Crucible!
As he exited the first round of the World Snooker Championship, the Iranian, 29, unleashed a ferocious rant about the backstage facilities at the historic Sheffield venue.
According to the Prince of Persia, the Crucible stinks, needs a fresh coat of paint, and the practice rooms resemble garages.
There is talk that this tournament will be shifted to China or Saudi Arabia, where the prize money is higher and players receive VIP treatment.
But Murphy, the 2005 world champion, struck out at Vafaei, calling it “sacrilege” to disparage the Home of Snooker after nearly 50 years.
The Magician, who is 41 years old, said: “Maybe having not grown up in the UK, Hossein’s not as emotionally connected to this tournament as many of the UK players are?”
