Might 03, 2025 06:22 AM IST
UK-SNOOKER-WORLDCHAMPS:Snooker-O’Sullivan’s eighth title dream ends in defeat to Zhao
SHEFFIELD, England -Ronnie O’Sullivan’s dream of a report eighth world snooker title ended on Friday with a 17-7 semi-final defeat to China’s Zhao Xintong on the Crucible Theatre after an earlier eight-frame whitewash.
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The 49-year-old ‘Rocket’ began the day 4-4 however missed a string of possibilities and went into the night session along with his 28-year-old opponent solely 5 frames away from the ultimate in the very best of 33 match.
Zhao duly wrapped issues as much as change into solely the second Asian finalist after compatriot Ding Junhui, who misplaced to Mark Selby, in 2016.
“I can’t believe that. I need to say thank you to Ronnie because he has helped me a lot before. He’s my idol,” Zhao stated.
“Sometimes the crowd is helpful for Ronnie and he deserves that, he is a legend here so I needed to control myself.”
World primary and 2019 champion Judd Trump was tied 8-8 with thrice champion Mark Williams within the different semi-final.
O’Sullivan struggled along with his cue, altering the tip, however the change made little distinction as he missed a collection of pots and slumped to a fourth profession 8-0 session defeat on the Sheffield venue.
Scotland’s John Higgins and Graeme Dott each achieved the feat on their approach to titles in 1998 and 2006 whereas fellow-Englishman John Parrot pulled off the opposite whitewash in 1994.
I simply felt like I by no means gave him a recreation in order that’s a bit disappointing,” O’Sullivan told the BBC.
“Zhao deserved his victory. I feel he is completed brilliantly all event and all credit score to Zhao. He performed higher than me.”
Zhao, who ended a 20-month ban final yr after a match-fixing investigation, can now change into the primary Chinese language participant to win the championship.
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