Xi Jiahui and Mark Allen each lead 5-3 after the first session of the WC snooker semi-finals at the Crucible. The Chinese is ahead of Luca Bresel, the Belgian who pulled off a big surprise knocking out Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Crucible.

Xi Jiahui and Mark Allen lead Luca Bresel and Mark Selby respectively at CM Snooker 2023

Xi Jiahui, ranked 80th in the world, led 1-0 but seized the initiative from there and the session ended 5-3 in his favour.

Finally, Mark Allen (3rd in the world) is ahead, also 5-3, ahead of heavy favorite to win the Crucible Trophy Mark Selby (2nd in the world at the moment).

Selby led 1-0 and 3-2, but the end of the session was better for Allen (he was 5-3).

World Snooker Championship 2023, semi-finals

Luca Bresel (10) – Xi Jiahui (80) 3-5

Mark Allen (3) – Mark Selby (2) 5-3

*You can watch the World Snooker Championship live on Eurosport.

WC Snooker 2023 Semi Finals Schedule

Friday, April 28

From 12:00

Luca Bresel vs Xi Jiahui

From 16:30

Mark Allen v Mark Selby

From 21:00

Luca Bresel vs Xi Jiahui

Saturday, April 29

From 12:00

Mark Allen v Mark Selby

From 16:30

Luca Bresel vs Xi Jiahui

From 21:00

Mark Allen v Mark Selby

How to play at the World Snooker Championship

• In the semi-finals, the winner will be determined by the “best of 33 shots” system.

• Finally, in the grand final, the winner will be determined by the “best of 35 frames”.

How it will be in the final

• There will be 8 frames in the first session of the final. The second session will consist of 9 frames, the third will consist of 8 frames. Finally, the final session will have a maximum of 10 frames (may or may not all be played, depending on the score on the table).

How money is distributed for CM Snooker 2023

Winner: £500,000

Second place: £200,000

Semi-Final: £100,000

Quarters: £50,000

Second round: £30,000

First round: £20,000.

You can read the full presentation of the World Snooker Championship here.