Neil Robertson seems determined to make amends for his first-round exit at the World Snooker Championship last year and is on course to see off David Gilbert in the second round on Thursday.

Eight more players will look to advance to the second and third rounds of the World Snooker Championship this week and there are some tasty match-ups in prospect (totesport – match prices).

The World Snooker Championship is nearly upon us and there are eight former champions involved in the battle for the top prize, as well as current holder John Higgins, who is seeking a fifth title at the Crucible.

The World Snooker Championship begins at The Crucible on April 21 and the first round draw on Monday threw up a few intriguing battles – with Ronnie O’Sullivan set to face fellow former champion Peter Ebdon.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is the 13/2 favourite to win the Welsh Open when the televised stages get underway in Newport on Monday – but you simply cannot trust the Rocket to win his second ranking tournament of the month.

The Masters at Alexandra Palace is now in full swing and snooker fans are in for a treat in the first quarter-final on Thursday, with legend Ronnie O’Sullivan set to face the sport’s rising star Judd Trump.

The Masters continues at Alexandra Palace on Monday and there are two games featuring some big names in the snooker world.

The Masters begins at its new home the Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday as snooker’s top 16 compete for the top prize at the invitation only event (The Masters 2012).

Mark Allen joined Judd Trump in the UK Championship final with an impressive 9-7 victory over Ricky Walden on Saturday night.

The UK Championships are at the quarter-final stage and it has a wide-open look to it, with many of the big names having already been dumped out of the competition.