Category Sports News

Halo World Championship

Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Dates: 19 April to 5 May

Seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan says he will overcome “stage fright” to take on Ali Carter in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.

O’Sullivan, 49, who only confirmed his participation on Thursday, has not played competitively since snapping his cue at the Championship League in January.

“Because it is the World Championship and the last tournament [of the season] I thought I need to try and break that cycle,” he told BBC Sport.

“Call it stage fright, I just haven’t had the [will] to go and compete. Call it lost my bottle. You sometimes lose your nerve. Just to come here is an achievement for me.

“The kind of nerves I have [been] feeling off and on for the last two years have not been good nerves. I have just been not wanting to go out there – sometimes struggling to even take my eyes off the floor. The confidence has been draining away, so it has not been a great place to be.”

Next Tuesday’s meeting with Carter, who at 18th in the world is the highest ranked qualifier, is a repeat of the 2008 and 2012 Crucible finals, which were both won by ‘The Rocket’.

The pair also contested a Masters final in 2024, which O’Sullivan triumphed in, but there were genuine fears that he would not go for a record eighth world title in the modern era this year having been an ever-present at the sport’s showpiece event since turning professional in 1992.

He pulled out of the Masters at Alexandra Palace on medical grounds, missed the German Masters in Berlin and apologised to fans after electing not to play at the Welsh Open.

He also withdrew from the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong in March and has not played in anything over a best-of-seven match since his first-round loss to Barry Hawkins at the UK Championship in November.

“Ali is a really good match player and I will have to play better than I have been just to give him a game,” added O’Sullivan.

“I really have nothing to lose. I have done well to just get here to be honest. If it was any other tournament I probably wouldn’t have come.

“I don’t know how excited I am because the reason I stopped was because my game was suffering and I wasn’t getting anything from it. Not much has changed but I thought at some point I have to try and play.

In the build-up to the 17-day tournament, O’Sullivan said that he received “a proper good hiding” while practising with world number 11 Barry Hawkins.

However, recent footage of him constructing a maximum 147 break in less than seven minutes in practice suggests he is acclimatising well to a new cue.

“It is the second time I broke my cue. The first time was a similar situation, I was struggling for maybe a year or two and you just get tired in the end and so frustrated,” O’Sullivan added.

“That was kind of like the end of my tether. Obviously regretted it but that is how the game got me.”

O’Sullivan, who has won a record 41 ranking titles, also outlined that he is not ready to pack away his cue just yet.

“I’d like to do another two or three years playing so the aim is to try and just focus on this event,” he continued.

O’Sullivan has previously stressed that he has had to take medication to deal with anxiety and also had a candid studio discussion on TNT Sports with Mark Selby earlier this season around the mental health pressures faced by snooker players.

That prompted some debate around the potential for players to be offered a counsellor at tournaments to help them deal with issues.

And four-time world champion Selby, who has had well-documented struggles of his own to contend with, believes that service would be a valuable addition to the professional tour.

“I don’t think we have carried on and progressed with it but I think something definitely needs to happen,” Selby told BBC Sport.

“Ronnie hit the nail on the head. There are probably a lot more players on the tour going through it than you think that just don’t speak out or feel strong enough to speak out.

“If you had someone like that there, who you could go in a room with for 20 minutes or half an hour to speak to, a neutral person, to get things off your chest, it would be a great addition to the tour for all the players. You would definitely use it for sure.”

Selby, 41, also believes that O’Sullivan did the right thing by taking some time away from snooker.

“He obviously wasn’t in the greatest place to miss all these tournaments. He must be suffering a lot off the table. If I look back at how I was last year going into the World Championship, if I was in the same position now coming in as I was 12 months ago, there is no way I would be playing.

“I would pull out and I have learnt from that, and know if I am in the same position I won’t make that mistake again.

“He’s definitely done the right thing. At the end of the day it is a game of snooker and you have to put yourself first and be selfish.

AFC Fylde is relegated to the National League North on April 18th.

Liverpool secures Champions League spot on April 13th.

BIrmingham wins League One title on April 12th.

Arbroath was promoted to the Scottish Championship on April 12.

Leaders Liverpool now have a chance of retaining their Champions League spot, and they only need six points from their final six games to win.

Regardless of their domestic league positions, the winners of this season’s Champions League and Europa League will also have access to spots in the league phase.

Along with the FA Cup winners, the sixth-placed Premier League team will also qualify for the Europa League’s league phase. That Europa position is returned if the FA Cup winners have already qualified for the Champions League.

In the event that Newcastle United prevails in the Carabao Cup final, they could at least be eligible for the Conference League play-off round. However, that Conference League spot will revert to the league if they are unable to qualify for Europe due to their position in the league.

Chelsea will advance to the Europa League’s league phase if they win the Conference League but do not advance to the Champions League.

The WSL champions will move on to the Champions League’s league phase, with the runners-up going through the second round and the third-placed team in the first round.

With Arsenal and Manchester United on the verge of joining Chelsea, they are already guaranteed a Champions League spot.

The Premier League will automatically be won by the top two teams. Leeds, Burnley, and Sheffield United will each have two players.

The play-offs will feature Sunderland and two other teams, regardless of who is not automatically promoted.

The top two teams will be crowned champions, and the other four will face off in a play-off.

When Birmingham City won 2-1 at Peterborough on April 8th, it was the first time anyone in England’s top five divisions to advance. Four days later, Wrexham drew 0-0 at Wigan, Birmingham City won the title without conceding a kick.

Wycombe, Wrexham, and Charlton are certain of at least a play-off spot, with Stockport needing to earn even more points.

The top three teams will be relegated to League One, while the other four will face off.

Leaders of Port Vale are guaranteed at least a play-off spot.

Between Barnet and York, the Bees will need a maximum of six points from their final three games to win the title and the only automatic promotion spot.

The winner of the title game will face Forest Green Rovers and four other teams in the play-offs.

The top four teams will be replaced by the division’s champions and play-off winners, and they will be relegated to National League North or South.

If Rangers win all of their games while putting together a 42-goal swing in goal difference, Celtic will win the Premiership title. If not, Celtic will lose five more.

The champions will advance to the Champions League play-off round, while the champions will advance to the second qualifying round.

After 33 games, the Premiership is now broken into half, with each team playing the other for the fourth and final time.

The bottom half will feature St Johnstone, Dundee, Ross County, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Aberdeen, and Hearts, along with Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian, Dundee United, Aberdeen, and St Mirren.

In the play-off round, the Scottish Cup winners will advance to the Europa League. That Europa position reverts to the league if the cup winners finish in the top two.

The third-placed Premiership team will enter the Europa League after the second qualifying round, while the fourth-placed team will enter the Conference League after the second qualifying round.

The Scottish Premiership will be won by Livingston or Falkirk. For the title to be won, Falkirk must have earned a maximum of four points from their final three games.

Whoever loses the division will face Ayr United, a second championship team, and the eleventh-placed Premiership team in the play-offs.

The ninth-placed Championship side will face off against the next three opponents.

Dumbarton, a bottom club, is dropped to Scottish League Two. After drawing 0-0 with Queen of the South on March 22, they were the first SPFL team to be relegated.

The next three teams will play-off against the ninth-placed League One side, with the champions being automatically promoted to Scottish League One.

If Peterhead wins and East Fife loses, Peterhead and East Fife are assured of at least a play-off spot. However, Peterhead can win the title on Saturday.

On April 26 and May, the winners of the two-legged play-off will face the 10th-placed League Two team (on April 10 and May 10) for the final place in League Two 2025-26, with Highland League champions Brora Rangers and Lowland League champions East Kilbride in the lead.

18 April – Shrewsbury relegated to League Two

18 April – AFC Fylde relegated to National League North

13 April – Liverpool secure Champions League place

12 April – BIrmingham clinch League One title

12 April – Arbroath promoted to Scottish Championship

The top five teams are guaranteed qualification for the league phase of the Champions League – with Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid on 8 April making certain that England will be one of the two associations with the highest Uefa coefficients for 2024-25, and clinching a fifth place in addition to the usual four.

Leaders Liverpool have now made certain of their Champions League place, and require a maximum of six points from their last six games to clinch the title.

There are also places in the league phase reserved for the winners of this season’s Champions League and Europa League, regardless of their domestic league positions.

The sixth-placed Premier League team will qualify for the league phase of the Europa League, along with the FA Cup winners. If the FA Cup winners have already qualified for the Champions League, that Europa place reverts to the league.

Newcastle United‘s victory in the Carabao Cup final means that at worst they will qualify for the Conference League play-off round. But if they qualify for Europe by their league position, that Conference League spot will revert to the league.

If Chelsea win the Conference League but fail to reach the Champions League, they will qualify for the league phase of the Europa League.

The WSL champions will enter the league phase of the Champions League, with the runners-up entering at the second round and the third-placed side in the first round.

Leaders Chelsea are already assured of their Champions League place, with Arsenal and Manchester United close to joining them.

The top two teams will be automatically promoted to the Premier League. This will be two from Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United.

Whoever is not automatically promoted will contest the play-offs with Sunderland and two other sides.

The top two teams will be automatically promoted to the Championship, with the next four entering a play-off.

Birmingham City became the first team in England’s top five divisions to be promoted when they won 2-1 at Peterborough on 8 April, and clinched the title without kicking a ball four days later as Wrexham drew 0-0 at Wigan.

Wycombe, Wrexham and Charlton are assured of at least a play-off place, with Stockport needing one more point to join them.

The top three teams will be automatically promoted to League One, with the next four entering a play-off.

Leaders Port Vale are assured of at least a play-off place.

The title, and the sole automatic promotion place, is between Barnet and York – with the Bees needing a maximum of six points from their last three games to clinch it.

Whoever does not win the title will contest the play-offs with Forest Green Rovers and four other teams.

The bottom four teams will be relegated to National League North or South, and will be replaced with the champions and play-off winners of those two divisions.

Celtic will win the Premiership title unless they lose their last five games and Rangers win all of theirs while making up a 42-goal swing in goal difference.

The champions will enter the Champions League play-off round, with the runners-up entering in the second qualifying round.

The Premiership now splits in half after 33 games – with each club playing the others in their ‘half’ for a fourth and final time.

Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian, Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Mirren will all be in the top half, with St Johnstone, Dundee, Ross County, Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Hearts in the bottom half.

The Scottish Cup winners will enter the Europa League at the play-off round. If the cup winners finish in the top two, that Europa place reverts to the league.

The third-placed Premiership team will enter the Europa League at the second qualifying round, with the fourth-placed team entering the Conference League at the second qualifying round.

The champions – Falkirk or Livingston – will be promoted to the Scottish Premiership. Falkirk need a maximum of four points from their last three games to clinch the title.

Whoever does not win the division will enter a play-off with Ayr United, one other Championship side and the 11th-placed Premiership team.

Arbroath were promoted to the Scottish Championship after beating Stranraer 4-0 on 12 April to clinch the title.

The next three teams will enter a play-off with the ninth-placed Championship side.

Bottom club Dumbarton are relegated to Scottish League Two. They became the first SPFL team to be relegated after drawing 0-0 with Queen of the South on 22 March.

The champions will be automatically promoted to Scottish League One, with the next three teams entering a play-off with the ninth-placed League One side.

Peterhead and East Fife are assured of at least a play-off place, but Peterhead can clinch the title on Saturday if they win and East Fife lose.

Highland League champions Brora Rangers and Lowland League winners East Kilbride will contest a two-legged play-off on 26 April and 3 May, with the winners facing the 10th-placed League Two team (on 10 and 17 May) for the final place in League Two for 2025-26.

Alexander Zverev requested that a spectator who had been heckled by him over allegations of domestic abuse be removed from his Munich Open quarter-final.

When the fan yelled, “Let’s go, you wifebeater,” the German number one seed was serving at 5-5 in the second set against Tallon Griekspoor.

Fergus Murphy, the chair umpire, was Zverev’s voice and Zverev could audibly say, “Fergus, please kick him out.”

Is it unclear whether the spectator was kicked out of the stadium.

A spectator heckled Zverev during the ceremony for the Australian Open men’s singles trophy in January.

A spectator yelled out loudly, “Australia believes Olya and Brenda,” as he approached the winner of his second-place award.

The 27-year-old’s former girlfriend Olya Sharypova, who he has a child with, charged with domestic abuse in 2023 and with violence in his former relationship in 2020.

Zverev has repeatedly refuted both of the allegations, and Patea’s case in Berlin was ended last year.

Former girlfriend Sharypova accused Zverev of using domestic abuse and violence while they were dating in October 2020. The allegations were “unfounded,” according to Zverev, who refuted them.

Zverev did not face disciplinary action because Sharypova did not file charges and a 15-month investigation by the men’s ATP Tour found there was “insufficient evidence” to support the men’s ATP Tour’s allegations.

After being accused of physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Patea, Zverev was given a penalty order and a fine by a German court in November 2023.

Zverev objected to the order, which led to a public hearing and denied the allegations.

Following a settlement reached between the defendant and the complainant, the trial was adjourned in June 2024.

First day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two, Spitfire Ground, Canterbury

Gloucestershire 365-7: Bracey 109*, Green 100* (retired hurt)

Kent: To bat yet?

Gloucestershire 3 points, Kent 2 points,

On their first day of their County Championship game against Kent at Canterbury, Gloucestershire won by Cameron Green, who scored a century on his debut.

James Bracey, a fellow centurion, made 109 not out and put on 167, with the Australian international, who had to retire early because of suspected cramp.

Grant Stewart was hurt and a lackluster field presence in the hosts prevented Kent from winning it with 5-61, but Nathan Gilchrist kept Kent in it.

After winning the toss, Kent continued to use the formula that enabled them to win their two opening games by choosing to bowl, but they were unable to capitalize on a promising start, sinking Gloucestershire to 15-2.

Ollie Price was on one when he edged Grant Stewart, but Gilchrist only managed to get Cameron Bancroft for two when he tried to play across his pads. Harry Finch, the keeper, anticipated that the catch would carry to first slip, but it did not.

Ben Charlesworth went in the following over, and Gilchrist was the recipient, but Kent’s already detested bowling unit suffered yet another blow when Stewart fell injured midway through the 14th over and was forced to take Jas Singh’s place.

In his next over, Singh had Ollie Price lbw for 18, but Green and Hammond resurrected the innings, which ended 96-3 at lunch.

Hammond appeared ready for his half-century, but Singh ripped out his off stump for 48, ending what the hosts thought would be a disappointing afternoon session. Green never appeared troubled, and he managed to outstrip Jack Leaning in the singles to reach his 50.

The visitors continued to dominate after 225-4 at tea, but they were given another life when Bracey reached 67. Leaning was given a lead, but Daniel Bell-Drummond gave up a regulation chance.

By the late 1990s, Green appeared to be having cramp and was clearly having trouble accepting singles. Joey Evison made it to the bowlers end when he drove him for one before falling to the ground and retiring.

The only bowler in the evening session, Gilchrist, actually looked like taking a wicket, and he dragged Kent back into it.

He received Tom Price’s leg before for eight with a full toss that struck him on the shin and Graeme van Buuren lbw for 19 with the new ball.

Matt Taylor made eight with a quick-hitched delivery to Finch, but Josh Shaw made it to stumps with 18 not out, and Gloucestershire could still bat well into day two with Green back if necessary.

Lahore, the qualifier for the ICC Women’s World Cup, is

Scotland 268-7 (50 overs): K Bryce 131*, Fraser 33, Canning 3-48

Ireland 269-9 (50 overs): Lewis 61, Delany 57*, K Bryce 3-49.

By one wicket, Ireland prevailed.

With the final ball of the series, Ireland won by one wicket in Lahore, but Scotland’s World Cup hopes were still stifled by Kathryn Bryce’s stunning unbeaten century and three wickets.

To have a chance to finish second in the qualifier tournament, the Scots needed to win by a significant margin, as did Ireland, who were already eliminated.

And despite a 19-3 first-class start, Bryce’s personal best knock of 131 helped Scotland to reach 268 with their highest everODI total, looking strong for victory.

However, Ireland roared back to set up a tense final over, in which Bryce received four hits and took her third wicket, before consecutive leg byes in the final two balls gave them the two runs they needed for victory.

In the 20th over of Scotland’s impressive innings, Ailsa Lister and Bryce made a partnership of 62 and fell for 27 from 28 balls.

Megan McCall (15), Katherine Fraser (33), and Priyanaz Chatterji (26), all provided additional support for the skipper.

And as Bryce completed her incredible innings with her 14th four from the final delivery, along with her two sixes, Rachel Slater made her debut at the crease for the final five overs, finishing with 13 from 11 balls.

With the bat, Ireland’s captain, Gaby Lewis, and fellow opener Sarah Forbes, both put on 109 for the first wicket, but Laura Delany’s crucial unbeaten 57 helped them get past the line.

After falling to Leah Paul (11), Louise Little (one), and Sophie McMahon (three), Delany stayed in and put together a crucial eighth-wicket stand with Jane Maguire, who both scored 50 from 36 balls.

It appeared as though the momentum had swung Scotland’s way again when Maguire was bowled off by Slater just before the 49th over when she was hit for four by Bryce.

However, Cara Murray and Delany made the most of their leg byes to break Scotland’s hearts and put an end to their hopes of participating in the Indian team’s autumn World Cup in the fall.

They come close to winning their campaign after Pakistan and Bangladesh, which are behind them in the top two.