Thepchaiya Un-Nooh beat Ronnie by 10-7 in the Final of the 2026 World Open

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh beat Ronnie by 10-7 in the 2026 World Open Final today, a match where the momentum swung from one play to the other throughout. Ronnie won the first four frames, then Theppy won the next six, only for Ronnie to win three on the bounce, before Theppy won the last four frames, making a 147 in the process. Fifteen of the seventeen frames played featured a break over 50.

Congratulations Thepchaiya Un-Nooh!

Here is the report shared by WST:

Un-Nooh Makes Maximum In Epic Final Victory

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh made three consecutive centuries, including a stunning 147 break, in the last three frames to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-7 and win the World Open final in Yushan. 

It’s a second ranking crown for the Thai star, renowned for his rapid pace of play. His first appropriately came at the Shoot Out in 2019, when he defeated Michael Holt to capture the top prize. 

Victory this evening sees Un-Nooh become the second player from Thailand to win a full format ranking event. His legendary compatriot James Wattana last achieved the feat back in 1995 at the Thailand Open. 

Un-Nooh pockets £175,000 for the win, the biggest payday of his career. It sees him catapult from 39th to 22nd in the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings. He also earns a spot in the Sportsbet.io Tour Championship in Manchester, which is reserved for the top 12 earners this season in ranking events. O’Sullivan moves from 12th to 10th in the world rankings. 

It’s a disappointing end to a momentous and encouraging week for seven-time World Champion O’Sullivan. The Rocket revealed that he has been suffering stage fright in recent months and has been working to rebuild his game. That work paid dividends in his quarter-final with Ryan Day, when he made a historic 153, the highest break of all-time. 

Coming into this evening the momentum, in a match which swung one way then another, was all with Un-Nooh. Having trailed 4-0 this afternoon, he reeled off five on the bounce to lead 5-4 ahead of the concluding session.

He extended his lead to 6-4 when play got underway tonight, but was then met by a break building barrage from 50-year-old O’Sullivan. Three consecutive century runs of 114, 132 and 136 saw him sweep to a 7-6 lead at the mid-session. 

When they resumed, breaks of 77 and 132 saw Un-Nooh, who was runner-up to Judd Trump here in 2019, regain the lead. He then moved 9-7 up with a stunning maximum 147 break to send a packed Yushan crowd into raptures. 

For the first time in history though, the high break prize for the final stages of a ranking event was paid out to a score higher than 147. O’Sullivan’s 153 took the £5,000 spoils. 

Un-Nooh’s perfect run is the seventh 147 of his career and the 240th in professional snooker history. That puts him level with Ding Junhui in seventh position on the all-time list. It is the 23rd of an incredible season, which has smashed the previous record of 15 for most 147s in a single campaign. 

If that wasn’t enough, he followed that up with a total clearance of 131 to power over the line and secure the title. Yesterday he said this would be his dream final, after today’s match he admitted it was better than he possibly could have imagined.

It is like a double dream final now. This has always been my dream, to lift the title against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final. For the rest of my life this is something I’m not going to forget,” said an elated 40-year-old Un-Nooh. 

I went to the practice room in the interval, spoke to myself and managed my emotions. After being sat on my chair watching Ronnie make three centuries, I told myself this is a great final and to enjoy it. I don’t know how what happened after the interval came true. I can’t believe it. I’m still stunned with my performance. How did I do that? Sometimes snooker is one way traffic. To make a 147 in the final against Ronnie O’Sullivan in a final is a great honour. 

This is my first time winning a major event and this is the biggest prize of my career. It is a dream come true and a step forward. I want to make snooker come back to be as famous as it used to be in Thailand. Like the old times.”

O’Sullivan said: “It has been a positive week, but I have to say Thepchaiya was unbelievable. He deserved his victory. He played much better than me today. I watched his semi-final and he was strong. I couldn’t go with that. It was far too good for me

Thepchaiya was flowing and had every shot in the book. I have to accept that is how it is. If I found that bit extra I could have made it tougher than him. I am in a much better place than I was even two weeks ago. I’m taking each day as it comes.”

Here are the scores for that match:

Ronnie fought hard, but it wasn’t enough. He made four centuries1 but it wasn’t enough…

Will Ronnie win another ranking event? I want to hope so but I’m not sure. Time waits for no-one … and Ronnie is 50. He has nothing to prove, of course, but … 💔

  1. Theppy made three … ↩︎

Ronnie is into the 2026 World Open Final

Ronnie beat Wu Yize by 6-4 earlier today to book his place in the 2026 World Open Final.

Here is the report shared by WST:

Rocket Set For 66th Ranking Final

Ronnie O’Sullivan produced a nerveless clearance in the final frame to beat Wu Yize 6-5 and secure his place in the final of the World Open in Yushan. 

The Rocket is flying high after a moment of history yesterday saw him craft the highest break ever seen in professional snooker, a run of 153. Having stated at the start of the week he was rebuilding his cue action and struggling to find confidence in his game, it has been a remarkable showing from the seven-time World Champion to this point in the event. 

O’Sullivan can now look forward to the 66th ranking final of his career tomorrow over the best of 19 frames. He will face either world number one Judd Trump or Thepchaiya Un-Nooh for the £175,000 top prize. 

50-year-old O’Sullivan could enjoy another landmark moment with victory in tomorrow’s title match. He would become the first ever player to win a ranking event in his teens, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. 

Wu and O’Sullivan’s only previous meeting came at the 2022 European Masters. On that occasion it was a one-sided 5-1 win for O’Sullivan. However, Wu is a different prospect these days.

The 22-year-old Chinese star won his first ranking title earlier this season at the International Championship. He defeated John Higgins 10-6 to capture the silverware. Wu came within one frame of the Masters final earlier this year, losing his semi-final 6-5 against Kyren Wilson. 

The opening exchanges this afternoon went the way of 41-time ranking event winner O’Sullivan, who made breaks of 86 and 78 en route to a 3-1 lead at the mid-session. 

Wu dug deep and after taking the fifth frame he edged a dramatic sixth to make it 3-3. It came down to the final ball and Wu deposited a black along the top cushion reminiscent of O’Sullivan’s shot to seal his 153 break yesterday. 

The pair began to trade big breaks as the match went down to the wire. Runs of 97 and 118 from O’Sullivan and 86 and 77 from Wu ensured the match went down to a final frame at 5-5. The first chance went the way of Wu but he was forced to play safe on 43. O’Sullivan sensed his chance and deposited a daring red to the yellow pocket. From that he made 89 and ran out the victor. 

I like my bottle when I’m flowing. I like my bottle anyway really,” said Englishman O’Sullivan. “At 5-5 when he missed I had a chance on the red I had to go for it. The ball went in, which I couldn’t believe, and I made a great clearance.

I knew that if I got the red I fancied I could clear up. In previous years I was begging my opponent to not miss because I didn’t want to embarrass myself. That is different now. I feel a lot happier because I’m in that frame of mind. Even if I miss, at least I fancy it

His cue power and snooker brain is great. He has a lot to learn but it is the easy bits he needs to learn. He’s like me before I met Ray Reardon. He can pot balls and score really well. I’m telling him he needs to learn the other side of the game.”

WST also shared the important sixth frame on YouTube

Here are the scores for that match:

As you can see by these scores it was high quality from both and extremely close from start to finish. It was a really good match to watch, very competitive but played in great sporting spirit, with mutual respect.

There isn’t much to add about the match really.

Ronnie will now face Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the final. Indeed “Theppy” beat Judd Trump by 6-4 only minutes ago1. Both finalist are very attacking players who go for their shots. I don’t expect too much defensive snooker tomorrow. It should be a great final to watch.

Ronnie’s last ranking title came at the World Grand Prix in January 2024, more than two years ago. Can he do it tomorrow? I certainly hope so.

  1. at the time of writing this report of course. ↩︎

Ronnie books his place in the SFs at the 2026 World Open … and makes history again…

Here is the report shared by WST:

O’Sullivan Makes Snooker’s Highest Ever Break With Historic 153

Ronnie O’Sullivan once again made snooker history after crafting the sport’s highest ever break, a stunning 153, in his quarter-final with Ryan Day at the World Open in Yushan. 

The Rocket has achieved a perfect 147 break a record 17 times previously. However, this contribution was aided by a free ball and included 14 blacks with two pinks, before he deposited all of the colours to end on 153. That left the Englishman two points shy of the highest possible run of 155. 

The only ever break to have exceeded 147 prior to this was a 148 made by Jamie Burnett at 2004 UK Championship qualifying. O’Sullivan’s incredible run this afternoon eclipses that and puts him in line for the £5,000 high break prize. 

Earlier this season the seven-time World Champion became only the second player in snooker history to make two maximum 147 breaks in a single match, achieving the feat in his Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters semi-final with Chris Wakelin. He followed on from Jackson Page, who made two maximums in the penultimate round of 2025 World Championship qualifying.

Further runs of 62, 110, 103 and 95 saw him run out a 5-0 victor and book a place in the semi-finals against Wu Yize.

Here are the scores for that match

What can I add really? The man never ceases to amaze!

Tomorrow of course is another day, with another match to play … his opponent will be Wu Yize who beat Mark Allen by 5-1.

In the evening (in China), Judd Trump beat Hossein Vafaei by 5-1 and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh beat Gary Wilson by the same score, 5-1.

All four quarter-finals matches were one-sided. 😳 All the players still in the draw are fast and attacking. 😊

And now WST has published a more detailed report, including Ronnie’s reaction to his 153 break.

Record Breaking Rocket And Wu To Meet In Semis

Ronnie O’Sullivan made an incredible 153 break, the highest ever in snooker’s history, during his 5-0 whitewash win over Ryan Day, which sets up a semi-final meeting with Wu Yize at the World Open in Yushan. 

The momentous contribution came in the opening frame this afternoon, after Day left a free ball for O’Sullivan. He went on to deposit 14 blacks and two pinks, before clearing the colours to take the break to 153. That is just two points short of the highest possible break of 155.

He went on to conjure further runs of 62, 110, 103 and 95 to storm to victory in just 55 minutes. The Rocket averaged just 13.6 seconds per shot during the masterclass triumph. 

International Champion Wu continued his bid for a second title of the season with an impressive 5-1 demolition of Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen. 

China’s 22-year-old Wu won his maiden title earlier this season by defeating John Higgins 10-6 in the International Championship final. Breaks of 83, 140, 77, 109 and 53 helped him storm to victory this afternoon and set himself up for a crack at O’Sullivan in the last four. 

Wu said: “Today I felt really good. When I got down on the shot, I felt very confident. When I can find that form I know I’m capable of producing some very high quality snooker. I did prepare mentally for this match. Mark is a tough opponent and can drag you into his rhythm, but I felt ready for that today. My safety has been good recently, so as long as my break building goes well, I think I can handle these situations.

The 153 break from Ronnie O’Sullivan was actually the first time I’ve experienced something like that. It was quite special and I was happy to witness Ronnie making another record. I’m really happy for him. Of course, he’s an idol. I think he’s an idol for everyone.

Ronnie beat Shaun Murphy by 5-3 to reach the 2026 World Open QFs

Ronnie beat Shaun Murphy by 5-3 in a match that was entertaining as one can expect from these two as they are both positive attacking players. Ronnie already had a quite superior head-to head over Shaun and he’s only “extended” it!

Here are the scores for that match:

Every frame featured a break over 60.

Here is the report shared by WST:

World Open: Day Four

Ronnie O’Sullivan extended his winning record over Shaun Murphy, prevailing 5-3 to make the quarter-finals of the World Open in Yushan.

Having elected to adopt a limited calendar for the season, this will be the Rocket’s first quarter-final appearance since making the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters last August. 

The Rocket stated earlier this week that he has spent his time away from the match arena rebuilding his game and technique. He previously revealed that the one goal left in his career is to capture a record-breaking eighth World Championship crown. 

Victory today for O’Sullivan avenges a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Murphy earlier this season, at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. It also means O’Sullivan has now beaten Murphy in 15 of their 19 professional meetings. 

It was Murphy who took a 2-1 lead this afternoon, top scoring with 139 in the second. However, from there 41-time ranking event winner O’Sullivan powered for the line. Breaks of 70, 121, 89 and 76 saw him take four of the next five to secure a last eight tie with Ryan Day, who beat Latvia’s Artemijs Zizins 5-4.

After today’s win O’Sullivan stressed it is performances over results which are his main focus at the moment. 

Shaun has been playing unbelievably. He has been so strong. I was happy when I got to 2-2. I thought at least I’ve been involved in a game against a top quality player. To win is even better,” said 50-year-old O’Sullivan. 

If I can get my cue through the ball I will be alright. It doesn’t matter whether I win or lose. I am able to do that now. It has been torturous to be honest with you. It has been really hard work

For me, just going out there and playing is a victory. Whether I win or lose is irrelevant. For me to be able to go out there and not feel scared is a victory. I am happy to go out there and feel that if I get a chance I might do something. Before I was thinking please don’t miss, don’t let me on the table. This is what was going through my head.

Some images shared by WST on Weibo:

And videos shared by WST and TNT on Youtube

There isn’t really much to add to the above report. That’s one good aspect of these “elite” events: because the field is small every match can get the exposure, attention and reporting it deserves.

Ryan Day is next for Ronnie in the QF round. Ryan is another very attacking player so that should be a good one to watch as well. Ryan IMO has underachieved as a professional. I have seen him play in exhibitions and what he showed at the table on those occasions was surreal really. Ryan’s relative “weakness” is that he’s more vulnerable under high pressure than other top players.

Ronnie beat Matt Selt in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Open

Ronnie is through to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Open, after beating Matt Selt by 5-0 today is Yushan.

Here is the report shared by WST:

World Open: Day Three

Shaun Murphy set up a blockbuster showdown with Ronnie O’Sullivan at the World Open in Yushan, after thrashing China’s Xu Si 5-1.

The Magician hasn’t fared brilliantly against the Rocket over their career head-to-heads, with O’Sullivan leading 14-4. However, their most recent clash at this season’s Riyadh Season Snooker Championship ended in a 4-0 win for Murphy. 

Today’s win for Murphy saw him put on a break building clinic. Contributions of 84, 117, 61 and 59 saw him come from 1-0 down and lead 4-1. He then embarked on an ambitious maximum break attempt. Having potted 15 reds with blacks, after battling to get the white in position throughout, he missed a yellow to end his run on 120. 

Murphy said: “I just lost my composure I think. I was a bit excited. I made a 147 here last year. It would have been a great moment. I played a lot of great shots to keep getting on the black and then when I had them on a plate I lost my brain. It isn’t as easy as some people make it look

I’ve been playing well for a season or two. I ran into Chang Bingyu at the Welsh Open and he played snooker from the Gods. I feel a bit sick of saying that but it has been like that. I’ve been running into superheroes playing unbelievable snooker. It is a test of perseverence snooker. It is about mental toughness. Can you keep going? With this event, the Tour Championship and World Championship to come. It is a great time to be hitting form.

Any time Ronnie is in the event it adds a certain buzz to it. There is always that bit more media attention. As Ronnie says it isn’t as if he hasn’t been playing. A bit like when he took the year out and won the World Championship, it wasn’t like he didn’t play at all. It is a bit of a myth to say he hasn’t played any snooker. He looks in good touch to me. Some people might say he isn’t as sharp, others might say he is fresh. All this talk about an eighth World Championship. What a position to be in, some might say he has done it the right way and kept himself fresh. 

Ronnie O'Sullivan

O’Sullivan booked his progression with a 5-0 whitewash win over Matthew Selt. 

The seven-time Crucible King compiled contributions of 77, 138, 96 and 52 to book his place in the last 16. Afterwards, he reiterated Murphy’s point about a lack of match time equalling a lack of work on his game. 

I always prepare well. I know people question if I practise enough. Everyone has done that since I was a kid. They seem to think I just turn up. I prepare harder than probably any other player and I work harder. I think people just assume I only need to get out of bed and pot balls. That isn’t the case. I work very hard,” said 50-year-old O’Sullivan.

I played alright today. I didn’t give him much room to do what he would have liked to do. I take credit for him not playing his best. Matt is a really good player and he plays to a very high level. I was aware I had to play to a high level.”

World number one Judd Trump sealed his last 16 place with a 5-2 defeat of Welshman Jackson Page. The Ace in the Pack top scored with a century run of 118. 

World Champion Zhao Xintong was a 5-1 victor against Englishman Sam Craigie and now looks forward to a last 16 meeting with Gary Wilson.

World number 17 Stuart Bingham’s chances of leap frogging Ding Junhui, moving into the top 16 and qualifying automatically for the Halo World Championship were ended with a 5-4 loss against Wu Yize. He moves on to face Masters Champion Kyren Wilson, who beat Allan Taylor 5-1. 

Jack Lisowski also bowed out of the Crucible race after a 5-1 loss to Mark Allen. The Pistol faces Zhou Yuelong in the last 16. 

Hossein Vafaei rallied from 2-0 down to beat Mark Williams 5-2, crafting a fine 127 break along the way. He now plays Zhang Anda, who beat Xiao Guodong 5-2.

There isn’t much to add about the match. Ronnie played well but not at his very best. That said he didn’t need to and he certainly scored heavily when in the balls.

Here are the scores for that match:

Some images shared on Weibo…

And videos shared by WST on Youtube

There isn’t much to add about the match.

Ronnie has an excellent record against Shaun Murphy, but every match is different and Shaun is a top player. I’m sure Ronnie will not take it for granted.

On another topic … Ronnie has NOT entered the 2026 Tour Championship, despite qualifying for it1. This has been shared on social media by reliable sources. It is obvious that, at this stage of his career, Ronnie priorities aren’t all about his snooker. Life, wellbeing, time for family and other interests have taken precedence. He has nothing to prove anyway.

  1. and despite the huge prize money./ranking points ↩︎

Ronnie Wins his Opening Match at the 2026 World Open

Ronnie beat Ross Muir by 5-1 in his first round held-over match at the 2026 World Open in Yushan.

Here are the scores for that match:

As you can see, Ronnie played pretty well and scored heavily when in the balls. He didn’t make many mistakes. I can’t say that Ross made many mistakes himself because, more often than not when he made one, it was ruthlessly punished and he didm’t get another chance.

Here are the last two frames of the match shared on Youtube by WST.

Ronnie was due to play Ishpreet Singh Chadah in round 2, but Ishpreet has withdrawn, so, next for Ronnie is a round 3 match against Matt Selt on Wednesday.

And here it comes… the report shared by WST:

World Open: Day One

Ronnie O’Sullivan eased through his opening clash with Ross Muir at the World Open in Yushan with a 5–1 victory, but afterwards admitted that restoring his game to the level he wants would be the “biggest achievement” of his career.

The Rocket has recently embarked on a quest to rebuild his game in a bid to rediscover his top form before his career is over. Earlier this season he admitted that his one remaining goal in snooker is to win a record breaking eighth World Championship. 

O’Sullivan came close to perfection in today’s encounter with Scotland’s Muir. The Englishman deposited 15 reds and 14 blacks in the fifth frame, before going in off with the 15th black to end his run on 113. He went on to fire past the line with 114 in the next to progress. With his last 64 opponent Ishpreet Singh Chadha having withdrawn from the event, O’Sullivan now progresses to the last 32, where he will face Matthew Selt. 

Ronnie has achieved what he has in his career so far BECAUSE he’s a perfectionist, although this constant quest for perfection has also been his undoing at times, and a torture… but he is who he is, it’s his core nature, it won’t change. He has to live with that nature through successes and disappointments, through bliss and despair at times … and we, fans, live it with him.

The 2026 World Open starts tomorrow …

Without quite a few of the top players

Withdrawals From World Open

Mark Selby, Barry Hawkins, Stephen Maguire, David Gilbert, Chris Wakelin, Chris Totten, Ishpreet Singh Chadha and Jak Jones have pulled out of next week’s World Open in China.

Selby was due to face Michael Holt in the last 64 on Tuesday March 17th, instead Holt receives a bye to the last 32.

Hawkins was due to meet Ian Burns on Tuesday so Burns also receives a bye to the last 32.

Maguire was due to face Xu Si on Monday so Xu receives a bye to the last 32.

Gilbert was due to face Matthew Selt on Monday so Selt receives a bye to the last 32.

Wakelin was due to face Artemijs Zizins on Monday so Zizins receives a bye to the last 32.

Singh Chadha was due to face either Ronnie O’Sullivan or Ross Muir on Tuesday so the winner of the match will receive a bye to the last 32.

Jones was due to face Luca Brecel on Monday so Brecel receives a bye to the last 32.

Totten was due to play Judd Trump in a first round heldover match, so Totten is replaced by the highest available player from the Q School top up list, Mark Lloyd.

But those who are there, including Ronnie, were made to feel welcome by the fans today