A total of 128 players has been whittled down to just 32 with Judgement Day next up on the 2025 World Snooker Championship qualifiers schedule.
The remaining contenders will vie for the 16 available spots at the Crucible Theatre, desperate to join the world’s top 16 in the first-round draw on Thursday.
Eight matches will take place on Tuesday with the other eight fixtures pencilled in for Wednesday at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
Judgement Day in the snooker qualifiers is a thrilling mini event in its own right, and one that serves as an appropriate appetiser for the main course that gets under way on Saturday morning.
Tuesday, April 15th
Session 1: 11am UTC+1. Session 2: 5pm UTC+1
Gary Wilson vs Daniel Wells
Gary Wilson missed out on an automatic seeding spot at the Crucible Theatre by just a few thousand pounds.
The Englishman faces Daniel Wells, who is one win away from appearing at the sport’s iconic venue for the first time in his career.
Zhou Yuelong vs Yuan Sijun
A disappointing season for Zhou Yuelong could be forgotten with a strong showing at the World Championship.
The former World Cup winner plays fellow Chinese competitor Yuan Sijun, who ended Joe Perry’s 33-year professional career in the last round.
Ricky Walden vs Zak Surety
A former World Championship semi-finalist and a three-time ranking event winner, Ricky Walden is the kind of player the seeds would want to avoid in the main draw.
Zak Surety, though, has been a player in form recently – backing up his World Open semi-final appearance with a 10-8 victory over Jack Lisowski in the qualifiers.
Ross Muir vs Ben Woollaston
There is a big opportunity for either Ross Muir or Ben Woollaston to secure what would be a rare qualification for the Crucible.
The latter has played there just once before, while Muir is bidding to reach the sport’s mecca for the first time.
Elliot Slessor vs Zhao Xintong
At this stage, it would be a pretty big surprise if Zhao Xintong didn’t qualify, such is the standard he is producing.
The century machine – still competing as an amateur as he continues his comeback from a ban – is a dark horse to win this year’s world title, but Elliot Slessor has plenty of experience and should not be taken lightly.
Ryan Day vs Sunny Akani
Ryan Day represents another seasoned pro and a proven winner who the seeds would rather avoid in the first round.
The Welshman last failed to qualify in 2022, but he will be a big favourite to progress against Thailand’s Sunny Akani – the 29 year-old hoping to make his Crucible debut this year.
Martin O’Donnell vs Chris Wakelin
Martin O’Donnell is another player who is looking to reach the Crucible for the first time in his career.
Standing in the Londoner’s way is one of the most improved players on the circuit over the last couple of years in Chris Wakelin.
David Gilbert vs Aaron Hill
David Gilbert was a World Snooker Championship semi-finalist a year ago and represents one of the most difficult opponents to overcome on Judgement Day.
But the Angry Farmer hasn’t enjoyed an especially good campaign and faces a young player with rising stock in the form of Ireland’s Aaron Hill.
Wednesday, April 16th
Session 1: 11am UTC+1. Session 2: 5pm UTC+1
Wang Yuchen vs Hossein Vafaei
Aside from the two amateurs that are still in the field, Wang Yuchen would be the lowest-ranked qualifier if he manages to continue his progress from the first qualifying round.
He encounters Hossein Vafaei on Judgement Day, the controversial cueist from Iran who alienated some fans in 2024 by claiming that the Crucible Theatre “smells really bad”.
Michael Holt vs Fan Zhengyi
It has been a strong comeback campaign for Michael Holt, who reached the UK Championship quarter-finals and is one win away from a return to the Crucible.
Holt is bidding to qualify for the first time since 2016 after knocking out former world champion Stuart Bingham, but Fan Zhengyi represents a tough final challenge to overcome.
Joe O’Connor vs Jackson Page
It was a record-breaking performance from Jackson Page in the third round when he sensationally compiled a brace of 147 breaks in his 10-2 thrashing of Allan Taylor.
Despite pocketing a cool £147,000 bonus, Page will attempt to keep his feet on the ground as he faces Joe O’Connor, who made his Crucible debut in 2024, for a ticket through to the main draw.
Jamie Jones vs Pang Junxu
It feels like a long time since Jamie Jones burst onto the scene with a quarter-final run on his debut at the 2012 World Championship.
The Welshman faces a recent Judgement Day specialist, with Pang Junxu emerging from the final round of qualifiers in both 2023 and 2024.
Matthew Stevens vs Wu Yize
Veteran Matthew Stevens has a huge amount of experience in Sheffield, but the former runner-up hasn’t qualified for the main draw since 2022.
After a good season in which he reached two finals and made the 12-player Tour Championship lineup, it would be disappointing for Wu Yize if he missed out on the campaign finale.
Gao Yang vs Lei Peifan
WSF Championship winner Gao Yang is the second player with amateur status who has aspirations of emerging with a place in the last 32.
The 20 year-old thrashed Stephen Maguire 10-3 in the last round and will next meet countryman Lei Peifan, this term’s shock Scottish Open champion.
Matthew Selt vs Jimmy Robertson
Matthew Selt’s 10-3 defeat of Anthony Hamilton relegated the Sheriff of Pottingham from the main tour.
Next up for Selt is Jimmy Robertson, who had a much tougher time of it in his dramatic 10-9 win against Stan Moody.
He Guoqiang vs Ali Carter
There were periods of his game with Ian Burns when Ali Carter appeared to be in trouble, but the two-time world finalist lived to fight another day.
Up-and-coming snooker talent He Guoqiang is the Captain’s Judgement Day opponent, with the 24 year-old on course to qualify for the Crucible for the first time.
2025 World Snooker Championship qualifiers
Judgement Day 1
Tuesday, April 15th at 11am and 5pm UTC+1
Gary Wilson vs Daniel Wells
Zhou Yuelong vs Yuan Sijun
Ricky Walden vs Zak Surety
Ross Muir vs Ben Woollaston
Elliot Slessor vs Zhao Xintong
Ryan Day vs Sunny Akani
Martin O’Donnell vs Chris Wakelin
David Gilbert vs Aaron Hill
Judgement Day 2
Wednesday, April 16th at 11am and 5pm UTC+1
Wang Yuchen vs Hossein Vafaei
Michael Holt vs Fan Zhengyi
Joe O’Connor vs Jackson Page
Jamie Jones vs Pang Junxu
Matthew Stevens vs Wu Yize
Gao Yang vs Lei Peifan
Matthew Selt vs Jimmy Robertson
He Guoqiang vs Ali Carter
Featured photo credit: WST
