Ronnie O'Sullivan wins first match as a married man with ‘best performance in 3 years' as he edges final-frame thriller
The Rocket is still enjoying the martial bliss of getting hitched to long-term partner Laila Rouass, an actress, last month in East London.
3
And over in the Far East, he came through a 11th-frame decider with Barry Hawkins to prevail 6-5 in the last 16 of the lucrative Shanghai Masters.
The 49-year-old claimed it was the best he had played since lifting his seventh Crucible crown three years ago in Sheffield.
The sport's greatest player, who is using a new cue after snapping his favourite one in January, came from 3-2 down to lead 5-3.
But Kent cueist Hawkins, 46, took it to the distance thanks to a 106 break – his 501st career century.
No.6 seed O'Sullivan – who now plays Kyren Wilson in the quarter-finals – scored breaks of 94, 94, 90 and 89 but was unable to get over the line for his first century of the new term.
There was one moment in frame six where he banged the table twice with his fist in anger.
But it was short-lived pain as he progressed a step closer to the £210,000 winner's jackpot, gaining revenge for his elimination to the Hawk at the UK Championship last November in York.
O'Sullivan said: 'I'm just pleased to have won the match. Barry played pretty good.
'I played probably the best I have played for maybe since I won the world championship in 2022.
Ronnie O'Sullivan marries Footballers' Wives star Laila Rouass just 10 months after split
'For me that was a good performance. I could have lost it as well
'The table played okay with the humidity. I don't know how it will be on Thursday, Friday or Saturday but if it stays the same, it's good.
'Usually it gets harder and harder as the week goes on. Who knows? If it stays like this, it's okay.'
Zhao Xintong returned to his homeland – as China's first snooker world champion – and he thrilled the crowds by beating Chris Wakelin 6-2 in his season opener.
The Cyclone, who beat Wakelin at the Crucible en route to that historic triumph, scored breaks of 68, 103, 65, 73 and 59 in his usual, effortless manner.
3
The 28-year-old will now face Chinese potting Godfather Ding Junhui in the last eight and there is unlikely to be an empty seat at the Luwan Gymnasium.
The Asian superstar said: 'I'm really happy, because I had been looking forward to this match for a long time.
'I knew there would be some pressure but overall I think I played quite well. I stayed calm throughout the match.
'Before the match I thought I'd be nervous but I ended up staying pretty composed throughout. I'm pleased with how I handled it.
'I knew coming into this match that he would be determined to get his revenge, especially with me playing at home.'
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 - with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
1969 - John Spencer
1970 - Ray Reardon
1971 - John Spencer
1972 - Alex Higgins
1973 - Ray Reardon (2)
1974 - Ray Reardon (3)
1975 - Ray Reardon (4)
1976 - Ray Reardon (5)
1977 - John Spencer (2)
1978 - Ray Reardon (6)
1979 - Terry Griffiths
1980 - Cliff Thorburn
1981 - Steve Davis
1982 - Alex Higgins (2)
1983 - Steve Davis (2)
1984 - Steve Davis (3)
1985 - Dennis Taylor
1986 - Joe Johnson
1987 - Steve Davis (4)
1988 - Steve Davis (5)
1989 - Steve Davis (6)
1990 - Stephen Hendry
1991 - John Parrott
1992 - Stephen Hendry (2)
1993 - Stephen Hendry (3)
1994 - Stephen Hendry (4)
1995 - Stephen Hendry (5)
1996 - Stephen Hendry (6)
1997 - Ken Doherty
1998 - John Higgins
1999 - Stephen Hendry (7)
2000 - Mark Williams
2001 - Ronnie O'Sullivan
2002 - Peter Ebdon
2003 - Mark Williams (2)
2004 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (2)
2005 - Shaun Murphy
2006 - Graeme Dott
2007 - John Higgins (2)
2008 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (3)
2009 - John Higgins (3)
2010 - Neil Robertson
2011 - John Higgins (4)
2012 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (4)
2013 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)
2014 - Mark Selby
2015 - Stuart Bingham
2016 - Mark Selby (2)
2017 - Mark Selby (3)
2018 - Mark Williams (3)
2019 - Judd Trump
2020 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (6)
2021 - Mark Selby (4)
2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (7)
2023 - Luca Brecel
2024 - Kyren Wilson
2025 - Zhao Xintong
7 - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan
6 - Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
4 - John Higgins, Mark Selby
3 - John Spencer, Mark Williams
2 - Alex Higgins
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
31 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Arsenal hijack Tottenham's deal for Eberechi Eze
Arsenal have made a dramatic move to hijack Tottenham Hotspur's bid to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury that has left the club sweating on his fitness. Havertz is still waiting on the full prognosis of his injury that is a blow to head coach Mikel Arteta, but Arsenal have not wasted any time in reviving their interest and attempting to steal Eze from under the noses of Spurs. Tottenham had been close to sealing a deal to sign Eze for around £55m plus add-ons with the player ready to join them, but sources claim he will favour a move to Arsenal if both clubs can agree a fee with Palace. Arsenal are believed to be ready to offer a total package worth over £60m for Eze with sporting director Andrea Berta leading the pursuit of the player and an agreement is expected to be reached. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner on Wednesday claimed that Eze will play for his team in their Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad on Thursday night. It is believed that Spurs are ready to move on to other targets if Eze moves to Arsenal in what would be a bitter blow to head coach Thomas Frank and chairman Daniel Levy. Tottenham have enjoyed some success this summer with the signings of Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha, and agreeing a new contract with captain Cristian Romero. But the club missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White and losing Eze to Arsenal will undoubtedly anger supporters. Sources had expected Arsenal to initially look at the loan market or for cheap options to find cover for Havertz, but the club instead swiftly revisited their interest in Eze as Tottenham failed to close a deal for the player. Tottenham had even discussed the possibility of allowing Richarlison to move in the opposite direction to Eze, to Crystal Palace, to free up funds and space to then rival Newcastle United's bid for Yoane Wissa. It remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal will try to make any sales if they sign Eze after Leandro Trossard, who had been tipped to move away, signed a new contract on improved terms. Arteta cannot afford another attacking crisis, having been forced to play midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker last season. The club have signed striker Victor Gyokeres and winger Noni Madueke this summer, but Gabriel Jesus has not played since January and Havertz's injury could leave Arteta short of forward options.
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Alexander Isak and a 'nuclear' row with Newcastle - what next?
Alexander the words were splashed across the banner as Newcastle United fans saluted their talisman at St James' Park nine months that night feels like a distant remains determined to join Liverpool and the striker claimed that "promises were broken and trust is lost" in an explosive fired back just a few hours later and made it clear that "no commitment has ever been made that Alex can leave this summer."So what has irked Isak? What effect has the saga had on the dressing room? And can the striker really be reintegrated? The deal that never was Broken promises?This appeared to be a cryptic reference from Isak to the prospect of talks being held over a new contract last however, still had four years to run on his deal at the time and discussions were ultimately postponed due to the club's Profit and Sustainability (PSR) narrowly avoided a breach of the regulations in June, 2024 following the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton not only had to be careful in the transfer market thereafter but, also, when it came to dishing out a series of lucrative new contracts, particularly one that would make Isak the club's highest for context, have a tight wage structure and seven Premier League clubs spent more on salaries in clubs' most recent set of published a such a scare with PSR, sporting director Paul Mitchell, who has since left the club, vowed that "we need to make sure that we don't end up back there any time soon".This had a knock-on effect on Isak following a period of huge change at boardroom level after the departures of former sporting director Dan Ashworth and owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad would go on to hand fresh terms to Anthony Gordon, in October, 2024, but the club's hierarchy repeatedly stressed Isak's situation would be revisited this rather than wanting to sign a new deal, Isak has instead wanted out. Tight-knit group rallies Someone was missing as the Newcastle squad jetted off to the Far East last his absence was only was Isak a popular figure off the field - the Swede had long been a pivotal player on it, fact, Newcastle have been unable to win any of their last six Premier League games without Isak, failing to score in each of their last four despite having 75 shots (9.4 xG) across those six wonder morale took an initial hit - but a tight-knit group have since put in a committed display without Isak against Aston Villa on the opening day and there is a strong belief within the dressing room that that this saga could now even bring them closer previously thrived in such a set-up, of course, and it is worth noting that the striker has a number of friends at the club, including captain Bruno Guimaraes.A photograph posted on Bruno's social media account of the midfielder proudly wearing a Newcastle shirt was seized upon - just minutes after Isak's statement dropped - but this was not a response to his team-mate's incendiary words. "People are creating a situation where none exists," a source said. 'Gone about it in the wrong way' There has also been an understanding within the club that a player's career is short. Isak may only be turning 26 next month, but the striker wants to win the Premier League and the Champions those at the very top at Newcastle share those ultimate ambitions, it will take the club time to get there in a world of Profit and Sustainability (PSR).Liverpool, for context, spent more on wages (£386.1m) than Newcastle generated in revenue (£320.3m) in the clubs' most recently published accounts from Ferdinand "totally gets" Isak's desire to want to play for the champions if that is "something that attracts you".But another hugely popular Newcastle number nine - who scored 50 goals in his two seasons with the Magpies - stressed Isak had "gone about it in the wrong way"."If he had gone about it in the right way, perhaps, he would have left still being a hero of the football club," Ferdinand said. "There's a sour taste about the way he has done it after all his good work."That's the shame in all of this. He may go on and earn double what he's earning now and win loads of trophies and say, 'I made the right decision'. But, wherever you go, you want your legacy to be one of doing your best and leaving in the right way."I don't think football holds that tradition anymore. When a player decides he wants to go and a club that gets his interest comes in, it's 'let's down tools'." Could Isak be reintegrated? Newcastle have seen it from both sides, of as Isak is training away from the group on Tyneside, Newcastle target Yoane Wissa previously had a stint working on his own at identified Wissa as a potential replacement for Callum Wilson, who left following the expiry of his contract last month, and the club have had a fresh bid turned down for the DR Congo to sign one quality frontman has proved difficult enough for Newcastle - let alone an additional centre-forward like Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko or Joao Pedro, who chose to move two heavyweight strikers in the final days of the window feels a huge ask, but there is also something far bigger at play here, too. What sort of precedent would it set if Newcastle were to meekly wave off a player with three years left on his contract, especially to the champions?Newcastle have instead held firm - rejecting a £110m bid earlier this month - and the club do not foresee the "conditions of sale" being met before the window shuts on 1 that proves to be the case, could there really be a way back for Isak after the away end called the 25-year-old"greedy" and sang about him "not caring about us" at Villa Park last week?Thomas Concannon, a member of the Wor Flags group, who helped put together the Alexander the Great tribute display last season, has been left "bewildered" by Isak going "completely nuclear".But the Geordie, like the club, has not closed the door on the Swede being reintegrated."I don't think Newcastle are going to be able to find any suitable replacement at this stage," he added. "If anything, that's where Isak's frustration should be because there was a possible suitable replacement [Ekitike], but Liverpool bought him instead."I do think there is a way back because, ultimately, he has to play football. If he scored a few big goals, I think some would be willing to forgive. "He has burned bridges, but my personal opinion is if he scores some big goals and starts playing well again, that would go a long way."
The Guardian
34 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Downing tools: the Premier League's most infamous attempted forced exits
Following Alexander Isak's decision to post an incendiary message on Instagram as part of his increasingly bitter attempt to force an exit from Newcastle, we look at how some others Premier League players have tried to inflict bitter breakups on their employers. Some were successful, some were not. Van Hooijdonk led Nottingham Forest to Premier League promotion in 1997-98 by scoring 29 goals in 42 league games. Yet where there should have subsequently been optimism, things soured as the Netherlands striker became increasingly upset with the club's inability to strengthen in the market, while also selling key players in Kevin Campbell and Colin Cooper. He returned to the Netherlands in August after a transfer request was turned down, going on strike to display his irritation. Van Hooijdonk stayed fit by training with his former club NAC Breda, eventually returning to the City Ground in November to end the standoff. Forest finished bottom, were relegated and did not return to the Premier League for 23 years. Chelsea released a statement claiming Gallas had threatened to score own goals if was selected for the 2006-07 season opener against Manchester City and refused to play in an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool as part of his attempts to leave the club, which he ultimately did on deadline day in September 2006, sealing a move to Arsenal. The Frenchman denied Chelsea's accusations, saying: 'If people want to hide behind false accusations in order to give a reason for why I left so they can calm down the club's supporters then they can.' Whatever the case, the defender got his way, with his switch to the Emirates allowing Ashley Cole to travel in the opposite direction. Berbatov wanted to live his 'dream' of moving to Manchester United, but there was a problem: Tottenham did not want to sell him. Juande Ramos, the Spurs manager, called in Berbatov for a meeting to discuss the Bulgarian's future and it resulted with him being left out of the squad for a 2-1 defeat by Sunderland in August 2008. Ramos said the striker was not 'focused enough' and would not 'be good for the dressing room and the team effort'. Berbatov eventually got his way and a £31m deal was agreed with United, allowing him to make his much-desired move to Old Trafford on deadline day. The problems for Manchester City began when Tevez did not fancy warming up in a Champions League game at Bayern Munich in September 2011, subsequently feeling the full wrath of the manager, Roberto Mancini, who had no hesitation in declaring the Argentinian 'finished' at the club. The two had never been close but the spat ended the relationship for good, with fuel thrown on to the bonfire by Tevez's agent. 'What is he apologising for?' Kia Joorabchian asked. 'It's almost like a false: 'I'm sorry.' He doesn't believe, deep down, that he did anything wrong.' Tevez's elected sabbatical in Argentina cost him £9.3m. In February he came back and apologised after a move to one of Milan, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain failed to materialise. Sometimes it is best to take the route-one approach, unless, that is, there are TV cameras around and your desired transfer does not go through. Few will forget the sight of Odemwingie parked outside Loftus Road as he tried to seal a move from West Brom to QPR on deadline day in 2013. The Nigerian assumed a deal had been agreed but, unfortunately for him, that was not the case, leaving him with little else to do but chat with Sky Sports News via the window of his car before eventually driving back to the Midlands. 'It was hard because I was angry and it was a really tough period to go through,' Odemwingie said as he recounted the incident to the Guardian in 2024. 'It was very embarrassing in many ways.' Berahino was hot property after scoring an impressive 20 goals for West Brom in the 2014-15 season. Mauricio Pochettino was desperate to bring the striker to Tottenham and two offers were made, both subsequently turned down by West Brom's chairman Jeremy Peace. Berahino reacted by tweeting he would never play for Peace again before going on strike. He was clearly desperate to join Spurs, but his furious attempts at doing so did not work. West Brom, and Peace in particular, dug in, and the player remained where he was, eventually moving to Stoke in 2017. The 32-year-old is currently unattached after a spell in Slovenia with Tabor Sezana. Any interest, Thomas Frank? Payet is proof that downing tools can speed up a player's exit. The Frenchman wanted to leave West Ham in January 2017 in order to complete a move to Marseille, so stopped coming to training and refused to play for a club where he had been the undoubted star during the previous season. Payet's teammates did not like his attitude, so kicked him out of their WhatsApp group, while Slaven Bilic, West Ham's manager at the time, made it clear that Payet was still part of his plans. 'We do not want to sell him,' he said. 'We have said hundreds of times that we do not want to sell our best players. We want to keep them.' None of that made a difference, with Payet sealing a £25m transfer to the south of France at the end of the month. They say you should never go back, and that proved to be the case following Ronaldo's surprise return to Old Trafford in 2021. Quite simply, the move was a disaster, with the Portuguese superstar simply not the player he once was. Going on to suffer an almighty fallout with Erik ten Hag was another problem. He left the stadium after being substituted in a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano, twice refused to go on before walking down the tunnel in a match against Tottenham and then sat down to do that interview with Piers Morgan, in which he claimed to have been 'betrayed' by the club. There was no way back after that and Ronaldo soon joined the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he remains to this day, happier and much, much richer.
