A minute's applause marked the tribute to John Virgo, who died in February aged 79, as the World Snooker Championship began at the Crucible in Sheffield. Virgo, the 1979 UK Champion, was best known as a BBC commentator for three decades, famed for his catchphrase: 'Where’s the cue ball going?' A memorial service at Sheffield Cathedral on Thursday gathered the sport’s great and good to remember him.
Defending champion Zhao Xintong, who beat Mark Williams 18-12 in the 2025 final, started his campaign with a nervy 10-7 victory over qualifier Liam Highfield. Zhao led only 5-4 after the opening session but turned the tide with a pivotal 11th frame before a courageous long plant set up a match-winning century. 'Tonight was pressure, it was very difficult for me,' he told BBC Sport. 'I just tried to control myself and enjoy the table, but tonight I didn’t do it well.'
Zhao now faces a potential blockbuster second-round match against Chinese compatriot Ding Junhui, should Ding beat David Gilbert. 'If I play with Ding, everyone keeps eyes on us. I’ll feel good,' Zhao added.
In other matches, Mark Williams took a 6-3 lead over Polish qualifier Antoni Kowalski, while Xiao Guodong edged Zhou Yuelong 5-4. Fourteenth seed Mark Allen fell 5-3 behind to Zhang Anda, losing three frames in a row before halting the momentum.
