Snooker Chat 🔴⚫🔴

Ronnie O'Sullivan thanked his fans on video after making snooker's highest ever break. After potting a free ball, the Rocket made a record-breaking 153 in his World Open QF win against Ryan Day. O'Sullivan called it a "cool moment" and thanked fans for support. #snooker

The Rocket next meets China's Wu Yize in what is sure to be a showdown semi-final battle. Earlier this season O'Sullivan made two 147 maximum breaks in a single match at the Saudi Arabia Masters. #snooker

O'Sullivan will meet Shaun Murphy in the World Open Last 16 on Thursday. Murphy is having a strong season having won the British Open and made the final of the Xi'an Grand Prix and German Masters. #snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan has hit back at critics who question how much he practices. He told WST: "They seem to think I just turn up. I prepare harder than probably any other player and I work harder. "I think people just assume I only need to get out of bed and pot balls." #snooker

More from world-number-one Trump... "My brother was stuck in Dubai for a bit which wasn't ideal, but thankfully he has got out now. I hope things turn around. "I don't know what I'm going to do after this event. I will try my best when I'm out there playing snooker." #snooker

Judd Trump says he's "looking for somewhere to live" after leaving his Dubai home amid the Middle East conflict. He told WST: "I don't think I can go back there now in case I get stuck." "I'm looking for somewhere to live. I've been living out of a hotel." #snooker

Rising star Stan Moody has called his World Open win vs John Higgins "unbelievable". The teen showed more great signs of promise with breaks of 82, 84, 82 and 65 in a decider He said: "To beat him in an important match and do it with lot of breaks is a good feeling." #snooker

Speaking to WST, Higgins said: "It's going to take a monumental effort for anybody in their 50s to have a good go there (Crucible)." Higgins added he felt his game is in good shape despite not winning a title this season.

John Higgins believes it will take a "monumental effort" for any of the "Class of 92" to win the World Championship again. Legends Higgins, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams have 14 world titles between them - but are now in their 50s. The Worlds begin next month. #snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan is "working harder than ever before" to get his top game back. And he says rediscovering it will be his "biggest achievement" in snooker yet. O'Sullivan told WST today: "I'm going to get back to my natural instinct of playing and recoach myself." #snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan began the World Open with a convincing win - but fell a few pots short of a 147. The Rocket memorably made two maximums in one match in August. Today he potted all reds but was denied when fouling on 113. #snooker Video: WST

Pics: BBC/Creative Commons

Ronnie O'Sullivan has lauded tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, saying he's the "best in any sport at managing emotions". The Rocket said: "We all try to be like him, but it's not easy." O'Sullivan is set to play in next week's World Open with the Crucible closing in. #snooker

The world of snooker has congratulated "icon" TV host Hazel Irvine who received her MBE this week. Irvine has fronted BBC's snooker coverage since 2002. WST said: "Congratulations to broadcasting icon Hazel Irvine, who received her MBE at Windsor Castle." #snooker Pic: BBC

@Daz_boyo Hi Daz. Steve Davis made the first televised 147. But Thorburn made the first max in the World Championship.

@Snooker_Chat It's the second isn't it 🤔🤔 It's the first televised yes , but didn't John Spencer get one , but camera operators were on break at the time 🤔🤔

"Good luck mate!" The famous words of commentator Jack Karnehm as Cliff Thorburn lined up the final black for the Crucible's first ever 147 in 1983. The Canadian memorably fluked the opening red before making snooker history. #snooker Video: WST/BBC

@Red_Dwarf_Posse Hi. Yeah truly wonderful scenes. Fellow Canadian 'Big' Bill Werbeniuk congratulating him on such a joyful moment.

@Snooker_Chat Love how the other players all stop to watch and then congratulate him.

@liamcox73 Glad you enjoyed it Liam. One of snooker's classic moments. 147s are not quite as special these days but back then it was "just wonderful" - as Jack Karnehm says.

@Snooker_Chat Watched this live with my dad!! Bloody memories come flooding back 💪💪

@MAMentoring Hi Matt. You make a good point. Talks are a good starting point but how long it will take to see change is a difficult one to answer.

@Snooker_Chat Its all very well but I've seen so many similar articles saying about meeting with MP's but are they actually meeting with club owners and not just the ones who are signed up to the 147 club

More talks have been held to save UK grassroots snooker. WPBSA chief Jason Ferguson met MPs to discuss how snooker clubs can avoid closure. Recently Mark Selby said he wanted to boost grassroots. And a YouTube show 'Is Snooker Dying?' highlighted concerns. #snooker