Jonathan Ashby
Jonathan Ashby, at 35, boasts a deep well of knowledge about the world of snooker. A specialist with a passion for the game's history, techniques, and players, he provides invaluable insights to both novices and seasoned enthusiasts. Through his articles, Jonathan aims to share the rich tapestry and nuances of this beloved cue sport.
Articles by Jonathan Ashby
Every 147 at the Crucible: The Full Record, Who Made Them and Whether They Won
Fifteen maximum 147 breaks have been made at the World Snooker Championship since Cliff Thorburn's historic first in 1983, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry jointly holding the record of three apiece.
Stan Moody: The 19-Year-Old Who Believes Snooker Must Evolve Its Star Power
Stan Moody made a commanding World Championship debut at 19, impressing on the baize against Gary Wilson while also calling for snooker to develop new faces and personalities to secure its future.
World Snooker Championship: Who Has Won the Most Titles in the Modern Era?
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry share the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles in the modern era, each having won the sport's most prestigious prize seven times.
The Crucible Chair: Why Snooker's Greatest Stage Remains the Sport's Most Brutal Mental Test
Shaun Murphy described the experience of waiting helplessly in the Crucible chair as '50 times worse' than his driving test — and performance coach Chris Henry explains exactly why the World Championship's iconic venue poses a mental challenge unlike any other in snooker.
Higgins Produces One of the Great Crucible Comebacks to Eliminate O'Sullivan 13-12
John Higgins produced a stunning comeback from 9-4 down to defeat Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-12 in a final-frame thriller, reaching the World Championship quarter-finals at the Crucible.
Wu Yize Produces Crucible Classic to Deny Allen in 17-16 Thriller
Wu Yize completed a stunning 17-16 comeback victory over Mark Allen in one of the Crucible's most dramatic semi-finals, as Allen missed a match-winning black off its spot to be denied a first World Championship final appearance.
Wu Yize: From a Windowless Sheffield Flat to World Champion
Wu Yize, 22, defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 to become World Snooker Champion — the culmination of a journey that began in a windowless Sheffield flat, shaped by family sacrifice and a mother's courage from afar.
Page Edges Through Tense Group 25 to Join Zhang Anda in Championship League Stage Two
Jackson Page edged through a nerve-shredding Group 25 to reach Stage Two of Championship League Snooker, while Zhang Anda made serene progress with a perfect record in Group 10.
O'Sullivan Marks Seniors Debut With Title Win, Five Centuries and Honest Reflection on His Game
Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed the World Seniors Snooker Championship title on his debut at Sheffield's Crucible, beating Joe Perry 10-4 in the final with five century breaks.
O'Sullivan Claims Snooker 900 Global Championship With Five-Century Display Against Brecel
Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Luca Brecel 10-5 in the Snooker 900 Global Championship final, compiling five centuries to claim back-to-back titles at the age of 50.
Panchaya Channoi Stuns Reanne Evans to Claim Women's World Title in Dongguan
Panchaya Channoi defeated Reanne Evans 6-2 in Dongguan to claim the Women's World Snooker Championship, denying Evans a record-extending 13th title in the process.
Mark Allen Missing From Shanghai Masters Draw For Second Year Running As Lisowski Steps In
Mark Allen is absent from the Shanghai Masters draw for the second year in succession, with world number 17 Jack Lisowski stepping in to take the Northern Irishman's place in the 2026 edition of the prestigious invitational event.
WST PLAY to Stream Wuhan Open Qualifiers Live with Commentary from 15th June
WST PLAY subscribers can now watch table one live with commentary across all 26/27 qualifying events, starting with the Wuhan Open qualifiers from 15th June 2026.
2026 China Open Qualifiers: Ford's Stunning Comeback Headline Final Round as 16 Reach Taiyuan
Tom Ford's remarkable comeback from 5-0 down to beat Liam Highfield 6-5 headlined the final round of 2026 China Open qualifying in Leicester, as 16 players sealed their places at the venue stages in Taiyuan.
World Cup Fever Spreads to the Fairways as Fitzpatrick Juggles Golf Ball Between Shots
Alex Fitzpatrick brought a touch of World Cup spirit to the Canadian Open on Sunday, demonstrating impressive keepie-uppie skills with a golf ball whilst waiting to tee off at the 11th hole.
McGinn Ends Scotland's 28-Year World Cup Goal Drought in Historic Win Over Haiti
John McGinn scored Scotland's first World Cup goal in 28 years as Steve Clarke's side beat Haiti 1-0 in Boston to top Group C after matchday one of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
China Open Qualifiers: Final Round Set to Confirm Last Spots as Lisowski, Brecel and Near-Perfect Xu Si Eye Main Draw
The 2026 China Open qualifiers conclude on Sunday in Leicester, with Jack Lisowski, Luca Brecel, and amateur standout Chen Ruifu among those bidding for a place in the Taiyuan main event.
Brazil vs Morocco: Neymar Absence Looms Large as Group C Opener Kicks Off at MetLife Stadium
Brazil face Morocco in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener at MetLife Stadium on 13th June, with Neymar ruled out and both sides carrying contrasting form into the New Jersey clash.
Holt Makes History With 147 in China Open Qualifying — 30 Years in the Making
Michael Holt compiled the first maximum break of his 30-year professional career during China Open qualifying against Mark Joyce, recording the 242nd 147 in snooker history.
Wimbledon Announces Record £64.2m Prize Fund — A Lesson Other Sports Could Learn
Wimbledon has confirmed a record £64.2m prize fund for 2026, a 20 per cent increase driven by mounting player pressure over Grand Slam revenue distribution — with lessons that extend well beyond the grass courts.
World Cup 2026: Full Fixture Schedule, UK Kick-Off Times and Key Dates for the 48-Team Tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across Mexico, the United States and Canada, featuring 104 matches and 48 nations — here is the full day-by-day schedule with UK kick-off times.
Nine Rookies Set to Join the World Snooker Tour for 2026/27 — From a 17-Year-Old Ukrainian to a Record-Breaking 59-Year-Old
Nine players will make their World Snooker Tour debuts in 2026/27, headlined by record-breaking 59-year-old Paul Norris and 17-year-old Ukrainian Mykhailo Larkov.
Shaun Murphy, John Virgo Tributes and Crucible Drama: The Snooker Stories You Need to Know
Shaun Murphy opened his 2025 World Championship campaign with a win despite admitting his opponent's waistcoat proved a genuine distraction, while players and fans at the Crucible continued to pay tribute to the late John Virgo.
Higgins Fights Back to Trail O'Sullivan by Two as Zhao Books Quarter-Final Spot
John Higgins won the last three frames of Sunday's evening session to reduce Ronnie O'Sullivan's lead to 9-7, while defending champion Zhao Xintong booked his quarter-final place with a 13-9 win over Ding Junhui.
Vafaei Stuns Trump in Final-Frame Thriller as Higgins and Wu Also Advance at the Crucible
Hossein Vafaei eliminated world number one Judd Trump 13-12 with a composed 91 break in the deciding frame, reaching the World Championship quarter-finals for the first time. John Higgins also advanced after overturning an 8-3 deficit against Ronnie O'Sullivan in an extraordinary comeback.
Zhao Levels at 8-8 With Murphy as Crucible Quarter-Finals Deliver Dramatic Evening Session
Zhao Xintong recovered from a two-frame deficit to level his World Championship quarter-final with Shaun Murphy at 8-8, while Barry Hawkins and Mark Allen also finished all square after a session that produced three century breaks.
Hendry Names the 'Superpowers' That Make O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams Irreplaceable
Stephen Hendry has broken down the individual 'superpowers' he believes define Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams, suggesting snooker may never again produce three players of comparable quality in the same generation.
Wu Yize Storms Into 6-2 Lead Over Allen Despite Crucible Power Outage
Wu Yize reeled off four consecutive frames to lead Mark Allen 6-2 after the opening session of their World Championship semi-final at the Crucible, producing a clinical display that even a 15-minute power outage failed to interrupt.
100-Minute Frame 'An Embarrassment to Snooker' as Allen and Wu Locked at 7-7
Mark Allen and Wu Yize's World Championship semi-final is locked at 7-7 after a 100-minute frame — the longest in Crucible history — sparked widespread calls for urgent rule changes.
Wu Yize Wins World Championship in Final-Frame Classic to Become Second-Youngest Champion in History
Wu Yize defeated Shaun Murphy 18–17 in a final-frame classic to claim the 2025 World Snooker Championship, becoming the second-youngest Crucible champion in history at the age of 22.
Wu Yize's World Title Puts Him in Elite Company: The Stats Behind a Historic Sheffield Triumph
Wu Yize has become the second-youngest world snooker champion in history at 22, claiming the Crucible title in a deciding-frame final against Shaun Murphy — a feat that places him in the company of Stephen Hendry himself.
Davies, O'Kane, O'Sullivan and Cheung Secure Tour Cards on Final Day of Q School Event One
Liam Davies, Phil O'Kane, Sean O'Sullivan and Cheung Ka Wai all earned two-year tour cards on the final day of Q School Event One in Leicester, with O'Kane securing his maiden professional card at the 14th attempt.
Four Players Earn Tour Cards at Q School Event 1 in Leicester
Four players — Liam Davies, Cheung Ka Wai, Sean O'Sullivan and Phil O'Kane — secured two-year professional tour cards at the conclusion of Q School Event 1 in Leicester on Monday.
Wu Yize's World Title Confirms China as Snooker's Dominant Force — But a Generational Shift is Reshaping the Entire Sport
Wu Yize's World Championship victory makes him the fourth consecutive first-time winner at the Crucible — and the second Chinese champion in as many years, confirming a seismic shift in snooker's global balance of power.
Milkins Left With One Lifeline After Jones Fightback Ends Q School Event 1 Run
Robert Milkins squandered a 3-1 lead before losing 4-3 to Duane Jones at Q School Event 1, leaving the two-time ranking event winner with just one remaining opportunity to reclaim his World Snooker Tour place.
Milkins Opens Q School Campaign With Commanding Win as High-Profile Fallers Chase Tour Return
Robert Milkins opened his Q School Event 1 campaign with a 4-0 win over James Silverwood in Leicester, as the former Welsh Open champion begins his bid to reclaim a World Snooker Tour card following a dramatic drop outside the world's top 64.
Evans Chases 13th World Title Against Teenage Sensation Channoi in Dongguan Final
Reanne Evans takes her unbeaten world final record into a 13th title bid against teenage Thai sensation Panchaya Channoi in Tuesday's World Women's Snooker Championship final in Dongguan.
2026/27 WST Calendar Confirmed: China Open Returns, Triple Crown Dates Set
WST has confirmed the 2026/27 snooker season calendar, with the China Open returning as a ranking event for the first time since 2019 and all Triple Crown dates now set.
Behind the Baize: Framed Podcast Goes Inside the Masters at Alexandra Palace
A special episode of the Framed: The Snooker Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes at the Masters, featuring Barry Hearn and Alexandra Palace Operations Director Simon Fell.
Tirapongpaiboon Returns to the Pro Tour a Decade After Exit, Sealing Card at Asia-Oceania Q School
Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon has secured a return to the World Snooker Tour after a ten-year absence, defeating Bai Langning 4-1 in the final of Asia-Oceania Q School event one in Bangkok.
O'Sullivan Claims Snooker 900 Global Championship With Five-Century Demolition of Brecel
Ronnie O'Sullivan compiled five centuries to defeat Luca Brecel 10-5 in the Snooker 900 Global Championship final, claiming his second title in as many weeks following his World Seniors Snooker Championship victory.
The Records O'Sullivan Holds — And the Ones That Still Elude Him
Ronnie O'Sullivan's 153 break at the 2026 World Open is the highest ever compiled at professional level, but a look across the record books reveals a more nuanced picture of where he stands and where rivals still hold the advantage.
O'Sullivan Books Snooker 900 Final Spot With Commanding Comeback Against Wilson
Ronnie O'Sullivan recovered from 4-3 down to beat world champion Kyren Wilson 6-3, setting up a Snooker 900 Global Championship final against Luca Brecel in Reading.
Five of the Top Six Remain as World Women's Championship Quarter-Finals Take Shape in Dongguan
Five of the world's top six ranked players remain in contention at the 2026 World Women's Snooker Championship, with Sunday's quarter-finals in Dongguan set to feature a potential all-Thai semi-final and a blockbuster title-decider in prospect.
O'Sullivan, Wilson, Brecel and Perry Set for Semi-Final Showdowns at 2026 Snooker 900 Global Championship
Ronnie O'Sullivan, Kyren Wilson, Luca Brecel and Joe Perry have all advanced to the semi-finals of the inaugural 2026 Snooker 900 Global Championship in Reading, after four quarter-finals each went to a deciding frame or close finish on Friday.
World Women's Snooker Championship Returns to Changping in May 2026 with Brand-New Venue
The 2026 World Women's Snooker Championship has been confirmed for Dongguan Changping, China, running from 12–19 May at a brand-new purpose-built venue, with two-time defending champion Bai Yulu set to return as world number one.
Crucible Secures £45m Revamp as World Championship Home Until 2045
The World Snooker Championship will remain at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre until at least 2045 following a new long-term deal backed by £45m of investment, including a capacity increase of up to 500 additional seats.
Snooker World Championship Confirmed at Crucible Until 2045 as Sport Celebrates Landmark Deal
The World Snooker Championship will remain at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre until at least 2045 after the World Snooker Tour and Sheffield City Council confirmed a landmark long-term agreement on Tuesday.
Hawkins: Crucible History Is Irreplaceable, But Snooker Needs the Upgrade
Barry Hawkins has described his 'mixed feelings' about the Crucible, acknowledging the venue's unrivalled history whilst suggesting the sport may need a larger, modernised stage to secure major sponsorship and sustain long-term growth.
Tour Championship Quarter-Final Draw: Four Blockbuster Ties Await in Manchester
The 2026 Tour Championship quarter-finals are set for Wednesday and Thursday in Manchester, with Neil Robertson, Judd Trump and the remaining top seeds entering a draw that promises heavyweight encounters throughout.