World Snooker Championship 2026 – Updates, results and streaming details as John Higgins takes on Ali Carter

Four-time world champion Higgins seemed in full management earlier than the mid-session interval in securing a clear sweep of all 4 frames boosted by a 76 run within the third body.

But the match turned on its head when Higgins missed frame-ball pink alongside the highest cushion for a 5-1 lead as Carter, the finalist in 2008 and 2012, mopped up the pink and colors to pinch the body by 4 factors.

It was to show a significant turning level as Higgins scored solely six factors within the the rest of the session along with his opponent ending with runs of 91 and 74 to guide earlier than they play to a end on Monday afternoon at 14:30.

The Scot had the possibility to cease the rot within the ninth body, however obtained a nasty kick on the white then missed a tough black as Carter punished with one huge go to having struggled earlier on.

The first man to 10 will take on Ronnie O’Sullivan or He Guoqiang within the spherical of 16.

Meanwhile, 2013 finalist Barry Hawkins accomplished a 10-4 win over two-time runner-up Matthew Stevens to e-book his spot within the second spherical.

He will take on Mark Williams or Antoni Kowalski within the final 16 with Williams 6-3 up from their opening session.

Carter flukes ‘unbelievable’ blue into center pocket

Video credit score: TNT Sports

As it occurred: Carter roars again

Higgins 4-4 Carter (6-74)

In goes frame-ball black, and that’s going to be a fifth straight body for Carter. Heading for a 5-4 benefit on the midway stage. 74 from Ali to complete. He leads 5-4.

Higgins 4-4 Carter (6-53)

Not the worst time for John to take a breather the best way this match is growing. Not the best positional shot off the pink, however he squeezes pink into the left center.

Higgins 4-4 Carter (6-25)

Higgins compelled to digest probably dropping this session along with his security and scoring recreation going off the boil on the incorrect time.

Carter flukes ‘unbelievable’ blue into center pocket

Video credit score: TNT Sports

Higgins 4-4 Carter (6-16)

Higgins misses the black after the kick. Wasn’t properly on it, and does not drop. Well, that could be a huge error. What a let-off for Ali, who’s again among the many balls right here.

Higgins 4-4 Carter (5-0)

Higgins had not potted a ball for 40 minutes till he sinks a pink to left centre after a troublesome outdated security bout. In goes the brown, however John will get a horrific kick on the white seconds later.

Higgins 4-4 Carter (0-0)

John breaks off for body 9, the ultimate body of the session.

Higgins 4-3 Carter (0-91)

Will we see a century right here from Ali? He is buzzing on the market now. Misses the black off spot, however 91 will get the job finished day by day of the week.

Higgins 4-3 Carter (0-69)

In goes the blue to left centre, and he lands properly on the subsequent pink. Looks a formality now. 4-4 on this first-round match when Higgins wanted a pink for 5-1. How rapidly this recreation of snooker can change.

Higgins 4-3 Carter (0-37)

No doubt John has given Ali a serving to hand on the market, however he’s proper again on this contest right here. All the momentum is with the Essex man.

Higgins 4-3 Carter (0-20)

Another majestic pink is buried by Ali to the left center. Big probability then to construct a wholesome lead. A highest break of solely 41 thus far but is wanting good for 4-4 the best way these balls are mendacity. John going off the boil because the mid sesh.

Higgins 4-2 Carter (0-82)

Three or 4 probabilities a body being offered to Ali, and he’s not going to maintain lacking. Two frames to return on this session. Higgins with a 4-3 lead as he heads for a consolation break.

Higgins 4-2 Carter (0-69)

Another error by Higgins on the protection facet offers Carter a 3rd pop at profitable this body. Higgins was in full management of this match, however that missed pink may but be a match-changer.

Higgins 4-2 Carter (0-46)

Bad security by John presents Ali with one other probability to get this body received. Rolls it in with some certainty. Should be the body within the bag.

Higgins 4-2 Carter (0-41)

Plays white with prime spin to smash a pink into the left center, however then catches pink after attempting to run in and out of baulk through blue. Great lengthy pink, however is not on black. Safety to observe.

Higgins 4-2 Carter (0-34)

Carter seemed sure to path 5-1. Now he may very well be hitting again to solely 4-3 behind if he can benefit from this chance.

Higgins 4-2 Carter (0-15)

John a bit too skinny with a security shot and Ali has probability to construct a lead right here as mid-range pink is canned.

Higgins 4-1 Carter (56-60)

A composed clearance of 33 from Carter, who’s again to 4-2 behind. Looked like 5-1 incoming, however that missed pink may very well be a turning level on this match.

Higgins 4-1 Carter (56-33)

Fine lengthy pink by John to regain entry to the desk. Higgins rams within the inexperienced, and down for the pink. Needs ultimate two reds to depart Ali requiring a snooker. But John misses the frame-ball pink alongside prime cushion. Big probability of a steal for Carter.

Higgins 4-1 Carter (44-27)

Once once more John loses the white after downing a tough pink. Now learning the inexperienced in baulk with three reds left on deck. Just knocks the white onto baulk cushion through yellow.

Higgins 4-1 Carter (43-27)

John with a skinny reduce on the pink, however does properly to carry the white under the baulk line. Needs yet another good positional shot to get again to the reds. In goes brown.

Higgins 4-1 Carter (16-27)

Well, horrific miss by Ali on a pink and he has simply left John proper in amongst these balls. What is that going to price him as he sits again down. John doing his factor across the black spot as we converse.

Higgins 4-1 Carter (0-8)

Would you imagine this? Ali misses the blue, however the object ball flies again throughout the desk to land within the reverse center pocket. Is the run of the ball turning?

Higgins 4-1 Carter (0-0)

Higgins will get ‘unbelievable’ luck to depart Carter ‘sinking’ in chair

Video credit score: TNT Sports

Hawkins 10-4 Stevens

Stevens closed to 7-4 from 7-2 behind with breaks of 54 and 55, however 92 and 70 assist Hawkins end in some model. Through to take on Mark Williams or Antoni Kowalski within the second spherical.

Higgins 4-0 Carter (0-83)

Dominant efficiency from Ali within the fifth body. Back to 41 behind with one other 4 frames to return on this session.

Higgins 4-0 Carter (0-75)

Ali in pole place to choose up his first body of the match. Still 83 factors remaining on the desk.

Hawkins 9-4 Stevens (40-0)

Looks like Barry Hawkins, the 2013 finalist, is likely to be heading by way of to the final 16 right here.

Higgins 4-0 Carter (0-27)

Ali actually needing to halt the bleeding right here. A lead of 27 factors within the fifth body.

Which World Championship information can O’Sullivan break this 12 months?

Video credit score: TNT Sports

Higgins 3-0 Carter (63-4)

Higgins is actually getting a run of the ball, and this seems like a clear sweep earlier than the mid-session interval. Higgins heading for a 4-0 lead and a cup of tea. Carter not taking his probabilities and Higgins is placing away the balls with some good working.

Higgins 3-0 Carter (16-4)

Ali stepping into off attempting to run protected. Not getting the run of the ball thus far. Higgins with probability so as to add a couple of extra factors right here. Trying to get the black into play.

Higgins 3-0 Carter (1-4)

Ali with first prod at these balls within the fourth body, however not making a lot from a number of visits. Higgins slams house an extended pink.

Higgins 3-0 Carter (76-14)

A run of 76 from Higgins may be very good certainly. Looking very snug along with his environment with yet another body to return earlier than the mid-sesh.

Higgins 2-0 Carter (39-14)

Seems like Higgins is likely to be heading for a 3-0 lead right here if he can hold the white ball underneath lock and key.

Carter apologises after ‘angling’ Higgins in jaws of pocket

Video credit score: TNT Sports

Higgins 2-0 Carter (22-14)

Safety blunder by Carter presents Higgins with one other first rate probability to make some progress right here. Black on pink spot, however that should not trigger an excessive amount of fuss for the previous world champion.

Higgins 2-0 Carter (0-14)

Ali with an early lead on this third body pf a doable 19. Bit of a tactical joust underway between the 2 Crucible veterans.

Hawkins 7-3 Stevens

A 54 break from Stevens within the tenth body sees him shut the hole again to 4 frames on the opposite fundamental desk.

Higgins 2-0 Carter (0-8)

Higgins breaks off for the third body boosted by two runs of 44. Another beautiful lengthy pink by Carter is canned.

Higgins 1-0 Carter (64-10)

Higgins with alternative then to snaffle up this second body right here and now. John sliding in a pink alongside the highest cushion. Moving 53 clear with a doable 51 remaining. In goes key pink to make sure Carter will not return to the desk.

Higgins 1-0 Carter (44-10)

Carter with a do-or-die lengthy pot on a pink. Went all out for that and in it went. Chance then to regain some floor on this body. But he then misses a black at tempo off the spot.

Higgins 1-0 Carter (44-1)

Higgins breaks down on 44 after dropping preferrred place on the pink. Ali drops in an extended pink in response, however simply security to observe.

Higgins 1-0 Carter (37-0)

Enough balls within the open for John to place this body away with out getting too intelligent with any cannons and nudges.

Higgins 1-0 Carter (30-0)

Higgins clearly imply enterprise right here. Races to 22 and additionally cracks open the pack too. This is a wonderful probability to place one other body on the scoreboard.

Higgins 0-0 Carter (69-9)

Super reduce on a pink to proper center adopted by black lengthy prime cush. Very stable stuff. And he mops up the required factors to take this primary body. Ali offers the nod. First blood to the Scot.

Higgins 0-0 Carter (44-9)

A really good contribution of 44 from John earlier than he runs the white to baulk. Happy to maintain issues tight.

Higgins 0-0 Carter (31-9)

John reaches 30 with out an excessive amount of fuss. Studying the choices arond the pink spot right here. And chips in a pink properly to proceed this go to to the desk.

Higgins 0-0 Carter (14-9)

Ali manages to sneak in a pink over a prime pocket. And white comes again down desk for the pink. Trying to get the cue arm working and hand on desk. But a black is missed with the remaining. Not what Ali wants.

Higgins 0-0 Carter (0-1)

Corking lengthy pink from Ali straight off the bat. Nice piece of cueing to get by way of the white. Nine frames to return on this opening session.

Allen hits again to sink Zhang

Mark Allen scored three centuries as he fought again from two frames behind to beat Zhang Anda 10-6 on the Crucible.

Allen pulled stage after profitable two shut frames, earlier than Zhang replied as the sport seemed set to be a mammoth encounter.

However, English Open winner Allen then discovered his type with two century breaks and received six consecutive frames to e-book his place within the second spherical.

In the session’s different match, Ding Junhui opened his championship with a formidable show, together with two centuries, and leads David Gilbert 7-2.

‘What a dreadful mistake’ – Zhang units up Allen with huge error

Video credit score: TNT Sports

World Championship LIVE – Higgins v Carter

Hello and welcome to TNT Sports’ dwell protection from Day 2 on the Crucible.

Watch: What is the ‘Crucible Curse’?

What is the ‘Crucible Curse’ on the World Snooker Championship?

Video credit score: TNT Sports

How to look at and stream the World Championship

You can watch day by day of the 2026 World Championship dwell on TNT Sports.