Ronnie O'Sullivan is once again proving why he is one of the greatest snooker players of all time. With a commanding 10-4 victory over Ali Carter in the first round of the World Snooker Championship, O'Sullivan has set his sights on a record-breaking eighth title at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Stephen Hendry, the Scottish snooker legend who shares the record of seven World Championship titles with O'Sullivan, believes that the Englishman is in prime form to claim the crown. Hendry commented on the World Snooker Tour's Snooker Club podcast, stating, "Even though he will deflect away from his chances of winning this thing, I think the way he played [against Carter] definitely shows he is a contender."

O'Sullivan's journey continues as he faces Pang Junxu, a 25-year-old Chinese player, in the second round. The match, which spans three sessions over three days, begins on Saturday at 14:30 BST. With key competitors like Kyren Wilson, Mark Selby, and Mark Allen already eliminated from his half of the draw, O'Sullivan's path to the title looks increasingly favorable.

Steve Davis, a six-time World Champion, emphasized the mental challenge of the tournament, especially as the matches shift from best-of-19 to best-of-25 frames. "You know you've got to have an overnight sleep on a lead or a deficit and that can sometimes play its part," Davis said. "But just to be more relaxed, in as much as you've got a longer match, is handy, because you don't have anywhere near as much of a panic if you have a bad mini-session or session."

At 49 years old, O'Sullivan would become the oldest World Champion in snooker history if he triumphs on 5 May. He already holds this record following his victory over Judd Trump three years ago. Beyond his playing career, O'Sullivan is also focused on nurturing the next generation of snooker talent, with involvement in academies in Saudi Arabia, the UK, and China.

O'Sullivan's dedication to the sport and his current form make him a formidable contender as he vies for an unprecedented eighth World Snooker Championship title.