Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Image source, Michael Emons

The Crucible is a magnificent sight inside the arena. Those on table two may need to get comfortable though as it looks like being a long night.

Only four frames have been played in two hours, not helped by two re-racks. We are at 2-2, but Barry Hawkins will be wondering how that is the case after he was 57-0 up in the opener only to then give Matthew Stevens a chance, which he took with a brilliant 61 to win it on the black.

We only had eight frames in the opening session of the day in the Mark Allen v Zhang Anda match, but there is no deadline tonight so nine will be played.

Meanwhile, on the other table, they have had their first four frames, then the 15-minute mid-session interval and are now in the closing stages of the fifth frame of the session.

Barry Hawkins has hauled himself level with more graft - and a little bit of fortune - over on table two.

The Englishman has yet to make a break above 33 in the match but clinched the fourth frame by 67-33.

Matthew Stevens opened the door for Hawkins with a slightly bizarre shot early in the frame.

2025: Zhao Xintong (China) *

2024: Kyren Wilson (England) *

2023: Luca Brecel (Belgium) *

2022: Ronnie O'Sullivan (England)

2021: Mark Selby (England)

2020: Ronnie O'Sullivan (England)

2019: Judd Trump (England)

2018: Mark Williams (Wales)

2017: Mark Selby (England)

2016: Mark Selby (England)

* first-time winners

Matthew Stevens is back in front over on two table.

The Welshman has taken on average three seconds longer than Barry Hawkins per shot but his patient approach is appears to have paid off so far.

Just the one 50 plus break in this match at the moment.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

The world champion is going right back through the gears now. He's back on form after a wonderful century break.

The Crucible crowd are positively gushing at Zhao Xintong's brilliance on the table.

He rattled in a tricky long blue midway through a century break like it was the simplest of shots.

With the bit between his teeth the world champion proceeded to clear up with a break of 128 and now has a three-frame cushion on his opponent.

It looks a long way back for Liam Highfield now as the players head into the mid-session interval.

Barry Hawkins has pulled level with a 76-30 win in the second frame of his match against Matthew Stevens.

Both players still yet to settle over on table two at the Crucible.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

If you had seen the world champion a few frames ago you would think 'he's not playing well is he?' But Zhao Xintong looked in that frame like he has kicked into gear.

All of sudden you realise why he has been winning. Some of the long pots were ridiculous. You won't see many better shots.

Zhao Xintong effortlessly glided round the table en route to an opening break of 68 in the 12th frame before he offered his opponent an opening.

However, Liam Highfield cannot take it.

He missed the chance with a red into the bottom corner and Zhao compiled a break of 28 which prompted Highfield to concede the frame.

Signs the world champion is looking back to something like his best?

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

Now we know why Zhao Xintong is the current world champion. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Liam Highfield motored to a break of 55 before be fluffed a yellow into the top corner pocket.

Zhao Xintong laboured a little through the reds but with enough left on the table went on to make the Englishman pay.

The reigning champion deftly cut the green and the brown into the corner pockets before he sealed the frame on the pink.

Image source, Getty Images

John Parrott referred to the Crucible Curse and it's something Zhao Xintong faces.

Zhao made history when he won the 2025 World Snooker Championship, becoming the first Chinese player to win snooker's biggest prize.

However, the top seed must now overcome the Crucible Curse.

None of the 20 first-time winners have gone on to retain their title the following year.

Fourth in the world rankings, Zhao starts as favourite having won four events this season, including three of the past five ranking tournaments.

At the Tour Championship in Manchester earlier this month, Zhao sent out a warning with an emphatic 10-3 demolition of Trump in the final.

In the other match this evening, Welshman Matthew Stevens is facing England's Barry Hawkins. Stevens has banked the opening frame courtesy of a break of 61.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Liam Highfield will get some encouragement from the world champion not really doing his stuff. The longer it goes on, the longer he can hang around, it could turn into a really really horrible match for Zhao Xintong. The Crucible curse could strike again.

Zhao Xintong reeled off a break of 48 but ended up going in off the pink, to audible gasps from the Crucible crowd.

Initially Liam Highfield cannot get going, though, and the frame descended into a bit of a safety battle.

However, Zhao fluffed a long red which opened the door for Highfield again.

This time the Englishman took his chance and potted a tricky green followed by an awkward before cutting the pink into the corner to seal the frame.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

It could have been any score you like between these two. It's been a very strange match. Is it the pressure of being reigning champion for Zhao Xintong? Maybe. We haven't been used to seeing him missing some shots. Fortunately for Zhao, Liam Highfield hasn't settled.

I am expecting Zhao to be better this evening. He was yawning earlier this morning so hopefully he has managed a little siesta!

Image source, BBC Sport

How it's played out so far between Zhao Xintong and Liam Highfield.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Crucible

Image source, Michael Emons

You can't fail to notice the fact that Zhao Xintong is the reigning world champion when you walk in as there he is, pictured holding the trophy right next to where the players' entrance for the Crucible is.

In both of the past two years, the reigning champion has lost 10-9 in the first round - Luca Brecel against David Gilbert in 2024 and Kyren Wilson to Lei Peifan last year.

Will the same happen tonight? There could well be some drama at the theatre tonight? Will Zhao be heading for the tournament exit?

Live coverage has paused on BBC iPlayer and via the 'Watch & Listen' option above.

We will, however, be back under way at 19:00 BST when Zhao Xintong v Liam Highfield and Barry Hawkins v Mathew Stevens resume.

Here's the state of play with those matches.

It's an emotional day for all those who worked - or played - alongside John Virgo, who died in February aged 79.

BBC snooker commentator Dennis Taylor spent years in the commentary box with Virgo and shared many special moments.

He paid tribute to his friend and colleague.