John Higgins labelled himself nothing more than “a journeyman” after a second successive first-round exit at the Dafabet World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan will launch the defence of his Dafabet World Championship title against Finland’s Robin Hull on Saturday morning.

Stiffer tests lie ahead but Ronnie O’Sullivan returned to snooker today with a victory and a performance that suggests he will take some stopping in the Betfair World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan showed a little rust but it was largely superficial as he set about the defence of his Betfair World Championship title in impressive style today.

Jimmy White booked a first-round China Open clash with Judd Trump by coming through qualifying today,

It’s been Ireland’s best kept sporting secret but from tomorrow through to Sunday, snooker’s version of the Champions League final takes place in Galway — and over 40 million people will tune in to watch it.

Stephen Hendry was poised to lose his place in the world’s top 16 after defeat by Robert Milkins in the first round of the Shanghai Masters.

Shaun Murphy won the inaugural Players Tour Championship title tonight when he whitewashed surprise finalist Martin Gould in Dublin.

Mark Selby gained a measure of revenge for his defeat to Mark Williams in last month's German Masters final as he knocked the Welshman out of the Partycasino.com Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Dublin last night.

Marcus Campbell came from behind to beat Stuart Bingham 4-3 in today’s last-16 clash at the Players Tour Championship Finals in Dublin to continue his good run of form.

Marco Fu suffered a shock first-round defeat as the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals got under way in Dublin today.

John Higgins admitted he was "all over the place" after returning to action for the first time since his father's death with a workmanlike 4-3 win over youngster Jack Lisowski today.

Ken Doherty will play England's Mark Selby in the first round of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship, it was announced today.

Wales' Matthew Stevens proved too strong for Ireland’s Mark Allen at the Roewe Shanghai Masters today.

Stephen Maguire has pulled out of the Shanghai Masters with a shoulder injury.

John Higgins stormed through to the second round of the Betfred.com World Championship by turning on the style against Michael Holt.

AUSTRALIAN Neil Robertson completed quickfire a 10-2 victory over veteran Steve Davis in round one of the Betfred.com World Championship yesterday.

World number one Ronnie O’Sullivan will kick off his bid for a fourth World Snooker Championship crown with a first-round tie against Stuart Bingham.

John Higgins was not completely satisfied with his performance after he progressed to the Royal London Watches Grand Prix quarter-finals with victory in his all-Scottish meeting with Stephen Hendry in Glasgow today.

Ken Doherty's in action later this evening at the Northern Ireland Trophy.

Defending champion Neil Robertson wasted little time booking his place in the last 16 of this year’s Welsh Open.

Graeme Dott believes a summer away from the practice table will pay off in the new season after revealing he was “mentally drained” when his world title defence ended in the first round.

Qualifier Mark Selby remains firmly in contention for for a place in the 888.com World Championship final despite a typical comeback from 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy.

Mark Selby is on course to become only the third qualifier to reach the 888.com World Championship final after opening up an 11-9 lead against Shaun Murphy.

Ali Carter brought the first round of the 888.com World Championship to a close by beating Devon left-hander Andy Hicks 10-4.

Former champion John Higgins admits the fact he has just one World Championship title to his name remains a source of irritation.

Marco Fu held his nerve to send world number one Stephen Hendry crashing out in the first round of the China Open today.

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN will meet Chinese teenager Ding Junhui in the first round of this year’s World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan will meet Chinese teenager Ding Junhui in the first round of this year’s World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan reached the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open today but continued to insist that playing well – rather than just winning – is most important to him.

Andrew Higginson did John Higgins a friendly favour on the Scot’s arrival in Newport but hopes to be firmly in the driving seat when they clash in the second round of the Welsh Open tonight.

Ronnie O’Sullivan returns to action today at the Malta Cup looking to break a long-standing hoodoo at the first overseas event of the season.

Marco Fu caused the biggest shock so far at this year’s Malta Cup tonight.

Ken Doherty has gone 7-1 up against Mike Dunne at the midway point of the second round of the UK championship.

Scott Mackenzie completed a 9-0 whitewash of hapless Michael Holt in the Maplin UK Championship and revealed he had smelled blood as early as the fifth frame.

Scott Mackenzie was just one frame away from a meeting with world champion Graeme Dott after whitewashing Michael Holt in the opening session of their Maplin UK Championship first-round clash in York.

KEN DOHERTY was sent toppling out of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix last night after an unexpected defeat to Joe Perry.

World champion Graeme Dott could not hide his frustration after failing to qualify for the last 16 of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix.

Former world champion Ken Doherty and Australian ace Neil Robertson both booked their places in the last 16 of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix tonight.

The snooker world paid its final tributes to Paul Hunter today, 10 days after the 27-year-old Yorkshireman died from cancer.

Peter Ebdon paid a glowing tribute to Shaun Murphy on the eve of their 888.com World Championship quarter-final – then stressed his determination to dethrone the title-holder.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was focus personified today, both during and after his 10-4 victory over Dave Harold in the 888.com World Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

Bemused and bewildered by his 3,000-mile trek east, infrequent flyer Shaun Murphy was grounded by a first round defeat in the Star Group China Open this morning.

World number one Ronnie O’Sullivan will be looking to better last year’s quarter-final exit by opening up with a 888.com World Championship victory against Stoke’s Dave Harold, his opponent still going strong at a sprightly 40 years of age.