Snooker Latest Scores: Ronnie O'Sullivan Crashes Out, Mark Williams Leads Judd Trump
3 days ago - Sports
The World Snooker Championship has witnessed a dramatic turn of events as seven time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was knocked out in the semi finals by Zhao Xintong. O'Sullivan, who was struggling to find his form, was beaten 17 7 with a session to spare. The 49 year old Englishman had not played on the tour since withdrawing from the Championship League group in January, and his performance reflected his lack of match practice.
O'Sullivan's Future in Doubt
O'Sullivan's exit has raised questions about his future in the sport. In a post match interview, he revealed that he intends to leave the UK to live in the Middle East. The move is expected to be a significant change for O'Sullivan, who has been a dominant force in snooker for over two decades. "I think I'm going to be moving out of the UK this year," O'Sullivan said. "I'll be moving away to the Middle East. We'll see how it goes I might be back in six months." O'Sullivan's decision to leave the UK has sparked speculation about his future in snooker. While he has expressed his desire to continue playing, it remains to be seen how his move will affect his career.
Zhao Xintong's Rise to Prominence
Zhao Xintong's victory over O'Sullivan has marked a significant milestone in his career. The Chinese player, who is competing as an amateur, has shown remarkable form throughout the tournament. Having fought through four qualifying rounds, Zhao has now reached the final, where he will face the winner of the other semi final between Mark Williams and Judd Trump. O'Sullivan believes that Zhao has the potential to become a "megastar" if he wins the title. "I think it would be amazing," O'Sullivan said. "He's still very big in China as it is. But if he becomes world champion, it would just be amazing for snooker and for his life as well."
Mark Williams Leads Judd Trump
In the other semi final, Mark Williams is bidding to become the oldest Crucible finalist. The 50 year old Welshman took a 13 11 lead over Judd Trump into the concluding session on Saturday evening. Williams, who has been in impressive form, crafted four half centuries as he took five of the eight frames on offer. Trump, who has won 30 ranking events in his career, will need to mount a strong comeback to stay in the tournament. The match between Williams and Trump is expected to be a closely contested one, with both players having a strong record in the World Snooker Championship.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's Struggles Continue
O'Sullivan's struggles with his cue have been well documented, and his recent performance was no exception. He went through three tips during the match and changed both his tip and ferrule after the first session. Despite his best efforts, O'Sullivan was unable to overcome his technical issues, and his game suffered as a result. The seven time champion's struggles have raised concerns about his ability to compete at the highest level.
Fans Denied Refund for Unplayed Session
The World Snooker Tour has refused to offer refunds to fans who had purchased tickets for the afternoon session of the semi final between O'Sullivan and Zhao. The session was rendered unnecessary after Zhao won the match with a session to spare. Instead, an exhibition featuring Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor was scheduled, along with a question and answer session with Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty. The decision has been met with disappointment from some fans, who had been looking forward to watching O'Sullivan compete.
World Snooker Championship Final Looms
The World Snooker Championship final is now within reach for Zhao Xintong and the winner of the other semi final between Mark Williams and Judd Trump. The tournament has been marked by dramatic upsets and impressive performances, and the final is expected to be a thrilling conclusion to the event. As the players prepare for the final, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome, and the stage is set for a gripping contest between two of the world's top snooker players.