Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Liam Pullen dropped off the tour at the end of the 2024-25 season, but then quickly regained his tour card when he came through Q School a month later.

He is only 20 years old and has qualified for the Crucible for the first time. Only eight years ago, aged 12, he can remember seeing one of his heroes for the first time during the 2018 World Championship final between Mark Williams and John Higgins.

"I remember being star-struck between the afternoon and evening sessions when I went into Pizza Express and John Higgins was there, and I was like 'Oh my god'. But to be around these players now, it's just fantastic," he said.

On playing here for the first time, he added: "I'll absolutely love it, cherish it [being at the Crucible]. So many snooker players want to play at this beautiful place. It's great that they've announced an extension.

"I won't get too carried away. I should be proud, which I am, but you shouldn't get too carried away because I've got another match to play - and hopefully more, who knows."

Both players had chances aplenty in a yo-yo-ing frame four but it's Chris Wakelin who makes the best of his opportunities.

A flashy double at a key stage proves pivotal and Liam Pullen walks out of the Crucible arena shaking his head, unsure how he's two behind having made such a bright start in the opening couple of frames.

Here's how Gary Wilson clinched that final frame before the interval...

Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC Two

Gary Wilson looks very comfortable out there - his game is in good stroke and he's just bossing it really.

Judd doesn't look confident, he's not been horrible but it's not been the Judd we expect.

He won't be panicking but he'll want to be playing better and winning frames in one visit - that's what Judd does.

Chris Wakelin was pretty happy with this shot in winning frame three against Liam Pullen - and rightly so.

Lovely delicate little touch.

A brilliant first mini-session for world number 27 Gary Wilson - not so for world number one Judd Trump.

The Geordie pounces on bad misjudgement from Trump - going in off while attempting a long red - and establishes a lead that his opponent cannot claw back.

Judd Trump was delighted to get on the board against Gary Wilson - here's how he did it.

He faces a tall task to level matters though - Wilson is 43 ahead with just 51 points available on the table in frame four.

I might have jinxed Liam Pullen earlier when I said he was showing no sign of nerves - they seem to be kicking in now.

Chris Wakelin punishes a couple of errors - even if it takes him a couple of visits to wrap the third frame up.

Ask Me Anything

Image source, Getty Images

We're in the midst of two all-English clashes this morning - but that is becoming a rarity in the modern World Championship.

It used to be very much the norm of course - but the game really is turning into more of a global phenomenon nowadays.

This year's edition featured the first-ever Polish player at the Crucible - Antoni Kowalski - and has a record-high 11 Chinese competitors.

But how many nationalities have played at the event throughout its history? Find out here.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Here's that dramatic end to frame two on Table 1 - Liam Pullen will really be kicking himself not to be 2-0 up.

Some snooker that Chris Wakelin laid behind the black, mind.

Image source, PA Media

• Made his Crucible debut in 2018, pushing Judd Trump all the way in round one before losing 10-9
• Lifted first ranking title in 2023, winning the Snooker Shoot-Out by beating Julian Leclercq in the final
• Shocked Neil Robertson and Mark Allen on way to Crucible quarter-finals last year
• Claimed first major title earlier this season by winning the Scottish Open
• Loves ballroom dancing after taking part in a local 'Strictly-esque' fundraiser for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice in Coventry

Liam Pullen has pulled out some cracking shots in the opening two frames on Table 1 - but he'll be a bit perturbed to only be level after seeing that second frame pinched from his grasp.

Yep, the world number one opens his account.

Again he broke down midway through the frame on a 60 break.

But this time Gary Wilson was unable to punish the 'Ace in the Pack' this time and a relieved Trump halves his deficit.

Gary Wilson pinched frame two on Table 2 - here's how.

He's had a chance to do the same in frame three as well but has spurned it, and Judd Trump looks like getting on the board...

Interesting idea, this.... what do you think folks? Hit the thumbs.

Oof, one that got away for young Liam Pullen.

He knocked in a lovely break of 63 but missed a red to middle to let Chris Wakelin back in the frame.

In the end, Wakelin still needed a snooker with just blue, pink and black remaining - but he landed a beauty behind the black after Pullen missed a very gettable blue.

Not only did Pullen fail to escape, the cue ball went in off, gifting Wakelin an easy pink to set up the frame-pinching black.

Live coverage

10:00-23:00 - uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, website and app

10:00-12:15 - BBC Two

10:00-14:00 - Red Button

14:15-18:00 - BBC Two & Red Button

19:00-22:00 - BBC Four & Red Button

Highlights

00:00-02:00 - World Championship Extra on BBC Two

Liam Pullen knocked in a great half-century to win the opening frame on his Crucible debut.

And he's closing in on doubling his lead as Chris Wakelin needs a snooker with just the final three colours remaining in frame two...

Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC Two

Losing a frame like that - one Judd should have won - if he loses the next one, all of a sudden you're looking at damage limitation for the session.

Judd will be thinking about that right now.

Gary looks in great form, he's giving Judd plenty to think about.