Ronnie O'Sullivan has successfully defended his Betfair World Snooker Championship crown at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, and he lifts the trophy for the fifth time in his career. He beat Barry Hawkins 18-12 in tonight's final.

Betfair World Snooker Championship holder Ronnie O'Sullivan holds a three frame lead against first time finalist Barry Hawkins 10-7, after the second session at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.

World no.14 Barry Hawkins is through to his first Betfair World Snooker Championship final after seeing off Ricky Walden 17-14 in the semi-finals. He now faces defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final who is playing for his fifth world title at the Crucible.

Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan needs only three more frames to book himself a place in the final of the Betfair World Snooker Championship as he holds a 14-10 lead overnight against Judd Trump. In the other match, Ricky Walden leads Barry Hawkins 9-7.

Defending Betfair World Snooker Championship champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is through to his 10th Crucible semi-final after romping to a 13-4 victory against Stuart Bingham, however he is once again threatening to retire from professional snooker after the tournament is over.

Judd Trump won the last five frames to come from 8-3 behind to level with 8-8 against Shaun Murphy in their Betfair World Snooker Championship quarter-final, meanwhile Ronnie O'Sullivan dominated in his match against Stuart Bingham, he leads 7-1.

The two main governing bodies of international snooker, the WPBSA & the IBSF, have agreed to further terms on improving the international development of the sport, with the aim to one day get it in to the Olympic Games.

Experienced pros Ricky Walden & Stuart Bingham will be finally making their debut appearances in the quarter-finals of the Betfair World Snooker Championship after Walden saw off Rob Milkins 13-11 & Bingham beat Mark Davis 13-10. Ronnie O'Sullivan also made it through, a 13-8 winner against Ali Carter.

Defending Betfair World Snooker Championship champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is looking the strong favourite to reach the quarter-finals after taking a 9-7 lead over Ali Carter. Ding Junhui is also looking strong to progress, having come from 6-2 down overnight to lead Mark King 9-7.

The amazing results in this year's Betfair World Snooker Championship 2013 continue as Barry Hawkins came from 9-6 down to beat Mark Selby 13-10 to book a maiden quarterfinal appearance at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield