2018 World Snooker Championship They included Ronnie O'Sullivan (five titles: 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012–13), John Higgins (four titles: 1998, 2007, 2009, 2011), Mark Selby (three titles and two-time defending champion: 2014, 2016–17), Mark Williams (two titles: 2000 and 2003), Shaun Murphy (one title: 2005), Graeme Dott (one title: 2006), Neil Robertson (one title: 2010), and Stuart Bingham (one title: 2015). O'Sullivan was making his 26th consecutive appearance in the final stages of the World Championship since his debut in 1993. This is one short of Stephen Hendry's record of 27 consecutive appearances and four short of Steve Davis's record of 30 total appearances. Five
2017 World Snooker Championship play in an all-Chinese match, beating fellow countryman Liang Wenbo 13–12, having led 6–2 in the process. Having trailed 3–5, 4-time world champion John Higgins beat Mark Allen 13–9. Stephen Maguire also beat Rory McLeod 13–3 with a session to spare to reach his first crucible quarterfinal since 2012. John Higgins advanced to his first semifinal since his 2011 World Championship win by defeating Kyren Wilson 13–6. With the score at 3–3 Wilson miscued and split his tip, leading to a 15-minute tip replacement break. The defending champion Mark Selby beat the previous year's semifinalist Marco Fu 13–3 with a