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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ronnie O'Sullivan wins first match as a married man with ‘best performance in 3 years' as he edges final-frame thriller
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN kickstarted his 34th season as a professional snooker player – and first as a married man – with a thrilling final-frame success. The Rocket is still enjoying the martial bliss of getting London . 3 Ronnie O'Sullivan won his first match of the season after beating Barry Hawkins in Shanghai Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 O'Sullivan married long-term partner Laila at the end of June 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. READ MORE SNOOKER NEWS No.6 seed O'Sullivan – who now plays 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. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Most read in Snooker 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.' 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 World snooker champion Zhao Xintong beat Chris Wakelin in his season opener 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. 1969 - John Spencer 1970 - 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 - 1982 - Alex Higgins (2) 1983 - Steve Davis (2) 1984 - Steve Davis (3) 1985 - 1986 - Joe Johnson 1987 - Steve Davis (4) 1988 - Steve Davis (5) 1989 - Steve Davis (6) 1990 - 1991 - John Parrott 1992 - Stephen Hendry (2) 1993 - Stephen Hendry (3) 1994 - Stephen Hendry (4) 1995 - Stephen Hendry (5) 1996 - Stephen Hendry (6) 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - Stephen Hendry (7) 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 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 - 2015 - 2016 - Mark Selby (2) 2017 - Mark Selby (3) 2018 - Mark Williams (3) 2019 - 2020 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (6) 2021 - Mark Selby (4) 2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (7) 2023 - 2024 - 2025 - Most World Titles (modern era) 7 - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan 6 - Ray Reardon, Steve Davis 4 - John Higgins, Mark Selby 3 - John Spencer, Mark Williams 2 - Alex Higgins
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ali Carter shows true colours with fresh comments about Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ali Carter and Ronnie O'Sullivan ended their long-running feud after meeting at the World Championship earlier this year, though the Captain still offered his true thoughts on the Rocket's bizarre decision Ali Carter has shown his true colours by hailing Ronnie O'Sullivan 's performance during their World Championship clash this year as 'unbelievable'. Carter suffered a first round defeat at the Crucible on The Rocket's long-awaited return to snooker after several months away from the sport. Their meeting in April was expected to be a fiery one given the pair's recent history of falling outs. But after losing 10-4 to seven-time world champion O'Sullivan, who claimed a hat-trick of century breaks along the way, Carter has had nothing but positive things to say about his rival. 'It was a big game, to be honest, I've had a lot going on behind the scenes, family stuff, and it was probably a game I didn't need,' he told The Metro. 'When I drew Ronnie, I was like oh f***ing hell, but he was good as gold. It's fine between me and him now, but it was the draw no one wanted, wasn't it? 'And despite what people say, in the second half of the match he was unbelievable. I missed the boat in the first half really due to not quite being on it and then he got stronger.' Despite practising together in their younger days, Carter and O'Sullivan had been on frosty terms since a controversial incident seven years ago. During a second-round World Championship tie in 2018, the pair infamously barged shoulders at the Crucible as they walked past each other between table visits. The feud continued six years later at the 2024 Masters when Carter accused O'Sullivan of "snotting all over the floor" during the final, which O'Sullivan won to claim an eighth title. The 49-year-old responded to the claims by saying Carter needed to "sort his f****** life out". But there was no sign of antipathy during their Crucible meeting this year. Following his defeat, the Captain watched O'Sullivan reach the semi-finals, where he lost 17-7 to eventual winner Zhao Xintong. And Carter could not believe that the snooker legend opted to change both his tip and ferrule mid-match with the score at 4-4. Questioning the controversial decision, Carter said: 'He cruised through to the semis really, then he decided to make that decision to change his ferrule and, for me, he couldn't win that match when he'd done that. 'I just can't understand why he did that. You'll have to ask him. He wasn't 8-0 down or 7-1 down, he was 4-4! 'Ronnie plays everything with side, he moves the ball around and that's hard enough to do with a new tip on a new cloth as it is but to throw that in with a new ferrule going from titanium to brass and having all those factors in the semis of the Worlds, you're gonna be a million no matter how good you are! 'Whether he wanted to give himself an easy out if he lost or whatever, I don't know, but it was a very, very strange decision and the people around him, what are they doing? 'The guy who's even done his cue should be saying, listen, I ain't doing it for you. But he's his own man and you make your own decisions and if they go wrong, so be it.' Cue expert Martin Chesworth of Chesworth Cues, Sheffield, was at the barbers when he received a call from the Rocket to conduct emergency surgery on his tip and ferrule. Despite having reservations initially, the cuemaker decided to take on the job. 'He sounded a bit anxious,' Chesworth previously told the Mirror. 'He was adamant he wanted it changing. He wanted the titanium ferrule off and a brass ferrule putting on. I stayed back after the work and did the job. I put him a decent tip on as well. I then dropped it round to where he was staying.' He added: 'I got a text later on from him and he said, 'It's better.' I just wished him well and that was the last I heard from him. When I've done jobs for him in the past, he's always been friendly, upbeat and genuine. What more could you ask for from a customer?'
Metro
3 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Zhao Xintong opponent reveals surprise strength of 'the future of snooker'
Chris Wakelin gets another shot at Zhao Xintong at the Shanghai Masters and knows what to expect from the world champion after their Crucible clash in April. The pair met in the quarter-finals in Sheffield in a game that will not go down as a classic as both struggled for their best form having previously impressed. The eventual champion ran out a comfortable 13-5 winner to progress and although Zhao wasn't at his best, Wakelin saw plenty from him at the Crucible to be convinced he will lead the sport going forward. After beating local wildcard Zhou Jinhao in the opening round of the Shanghai Masters, Wakelin will now face Zhao in his first match since becoming world champion on Wednesday. 'He's got it all. He is the future. He's the future of our sport,' Wakelin told Metro of Zhao. 'I think what a lot of people don't realise is that most players on tour are capable of playing like that, just not every time on the biggest stage. Whereas Xintong has got so much talent that it carries him through the difficult matches. 'The one thing that really surprised me was his safety game. You don't expect him to have it. 'When it comes to the nitty-gritty, I should be able to find the upper hand, but so many times I came to the table and just thought…I'm screwed! He's absolutely got me where he wants me. I think that caught me off guard.' Jak Jones, who was beaten by Zhao in the first round at the Crucible, also noted the tactical prowess of the 28-year-old. 'His long potting and scoring are good and he also has a good tactical game,' said Jones. 'There are players who have won a lot more, but I don't see anyone in the tournament who is actually better than him.' Wakelin expects Zhao to be a huge positive for snooker as the first Chinese world champion, further growing the profile of the game in a country that is hugely important to the sport. From a ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, Zhao is now being backed to be the face of snooker. 'He's a great ambassador for our sport,' said Wakelin. 'I think he'll do amazing things for us in China. We've got an amazing following there. I'm sure he'll be a worthy world champion. He'll embrace it. More Trending 'It's the very first tournament he's playing in. It will be an honour to play the first ever Chinese world champion in China in his first match.' Despite the accolades, Wakelin warned Zhao: 'I'm not fazed by him. Good luck to him, well done. I hope he goes on to do great things, but he doesn't faze me playing the next world champion.' On whether the world champion is actually the best player on the planet right now, Wakelin said: 'He could well be. There are a lot of players in the world that would have something to say about that. He's got every chance that he could go on to be world number one.' Zhao and Wakelin meet at 12.30 UK time on Wednesday in the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters. MORE: Ali Carter talks Shanghai Masters bonus, Zhao Xintong future and Ronnie O'Sullivan clash MORE: Matthew Stevens reflects on 'up and down' snooker life as he confirms Seniors bow MORE: Championship League Snooker: 10 things we learned from a month at the Mattioli
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Snooker star Chris Wakelin reveals body transformation as he sheds STONE & quits smoking to get revenge on Zhao Xintong
CHRIS WAKELIN reckons shedding the pounds and quitting smoking will enable him to ruin Zhao Xintong's world championship homecoming party. Xintong, 28, lifted the £500,000 Crucible title in May – he is China's first world snooker champion – and opens his season at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday. 3 Chris Wakelin pictured in 2023 Credit: Getty 3 He has since dropped a stone in weight Credit: Getty Rugby cueist The pair met in Sheffield in the World quarter-finals but Wakelin struggled with 'fatigue' as he was knocked out 13-5 by the then amateur player. Since then Wakelin has shed nearly a stone in weight by running on the streets and even stopped smoking - he was often seen outside the And he is feeling the health benefits at the start of the new campaign. READ MORE IN snooker Though he will be the massive underdog, he hopes to incur the wrath of the home crowd by bursting the party balloons for the returning Asian superstar. Wakelin, the world No.16, said: 'Zhao represents one of the most ground-breaking, eye-catching matches there has been for a long, long time. 'This is the first time we have ever had a Chinese world champion and he is a great, great world champion as well. 'A phenomenal player. He's got buckets of style, on and off the table. Even the way he walks around the table. He's something really, really special. Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'It's incredible what he has achieved. I won't go down there, bow down to him myself and let him have the show. 'It's my job to put an end to the world championship party. He's going to have a lot of challenges ahead. A lot of pressure on his shoulders. Snooker fans baffled as star who's not won a match all year knocks in staggering 147 break 'I will give my best and prove why I am here in the first place. 'When he beat me at the World Championship a few months ago, I was really, really below par. I know I will have to play a lot better than I have done. 'We know what is in my tank. I believe and am really confident in what I can achieve. 'At the Worlds, he was super beatable in that match, which is the most disappointing thing from my perspective. I was so fatigued. 'I know Mark Williams spoke about it after the final. He's a lot older than me. "It catches up with you in the tournament. It happened to me in the quarter-finals. 'I have made a lot of positive changes in my life over the last few months. 'I said I would be out getting fitter. I have upped my mileage, dropped nearly a stone in weight. Stopped smoking as well. 'The reasons why I lost in the World Championship are nothing to do with on the table. It was purely my physical fitness as opposed to the mental side of it. 'That's something I am working on and getting towards that goal. I am improving. Hopefully that feeds into my game.' Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan plays his first match as a married man when he takes on Barry Hawkins in the second round of the main draw over the best-of-11 frames on Wednesday. 3 Zhou Jinhao is the 17-year-old Chinese sensation Credit: Getty
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Snooker star Chris Wakelin reveals body transformation as he sheds STONE & quits smoking to get revenge on Zhao Xintong
CHRIS WAKELIN reckons shedding the pounds and quitting smoking will enable him to ruin Zhao Xintong's world championship homecoming party. Xintong, 28, lifted the £500,000 Crucible title in May – he is China's first world snooker champion – and opens his season at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday. 3 3 Rugby cueist Wakelin, 33, top scored with a 83 break as he beat 17-year-old Chinese amateur Jinhao Zhou 6-3 to book a Last-16 date with the Cyclone. The pair met in Sheffield in the World quarter-finals but Wakelin struggled with 'fatigue' as he was knocked out 13-5 by the then amateur player. Since then Wakelin has shed nearly a stone in weight by running on the streets and even stopped smoking - he was often seen outside the Crucible with a cigarette in his mouth. And he is feeling the health benefits at the start of the new campaign. Though he will be the massive underdog, he hopes to incur the wrath of the home crowd by bursting the party balloons for the returning Asian superstar. Wakelin, the world No.16, said: 'Zhao represents one of the most ground-breaking, eye-catching matches there has been for a long, long time. 'This is the first time we have ever had a Chinese world champion and he is a great, great world champion as well. 'A phenomenal player. He's got buckets of style, on and off the table. Even the way he walks around the table. He's something really, really special. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'It's incredible what he has achieved. I won't go down there, bow down to him myself and let him have the show. 'It's my job to put an end to the world championship party. He's going to have a lot of challenges ahead. A lot of pressure on his shoulders. Snooker fans baffled as star who's not won a match all year knocks in staggering 147 break 'I will give my best and prove why I am here in the first place. 'When he beat me at the World Championship a few months ago, I was really, really below par. I know I will have to play a lot better than I have done. 'We know what is in my tank. I believe and am really confident in what I can achieve. 'At the Worlds, he was super beatable in that match, which is the most disappointing thing from my perspective. I was so fatigued. 'I know Mark Williams spoke about it after the final. He's a lot older than me. "It catches up with you in the tournament. It happened to me in the quarter-finals. 'I have made a lot of positive changes in my life over the last few months. 'I said I would be out getting fitter. I have upped my mileage, dropped nearly a stone in weight. Stopped smoking as well. 'The reasons why I lost in the World Championship are nothing to do with on the table. It was purely my physical fitness as opposed to the mental side of it. 'That's something I am working on and getting towards that goal. I am improving. Hopefully that feeds into my game.' Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan plays his first match as a married man when he takes on Barry Hawkins in the second round of the main draw over the best-of-11 frames on Wednesday. 3
