The 2025 World Championship is over for Ronnie as he was beaten, and well beaten, by Zhao Xintong yesterday afternoon. Here is the report shared by WST:
Zhao On The Brink Of History After Flooring O’Sullivan
Zhao Xintong is just one match away from becoming the first Asian player to conquer the Crucible as he reached the final of the Halo World Championship with a 17-7 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of the heaviest defeats of the Rocket’s career.
China’s Zhao could become a megastar to the hundreds of millions of fans in his homeland if he can break new ground by lifting the famous trophy on Monday night. Ding Junhui – the Godfather of Chinese snooker – is the only other Asian player to reach the final, and he was beaten by Mark Selby in 2016. Zhao can now dream of eclipsing Ding’s achievement, though first he will have to beat Judd Trump or Mark Williams over a possible 35 frames on Sunday and Monday.
Zhao is already enjoying the deepest ever run by an amateur in snooker’s biggest event and, having won four matches just to make it to the Crucible, he could join Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy as the only qualifiers to land the sport’s biggest prize. Having turned 28 last month, he would be the youngest winner since Murphy back in 2005. Sheffield-based Zhao is into the third ranking event final of his career and won the previous two, at the 2021 UK Championship and 2022 German Masters.
Playing with panache and a rapid attacking style, Zhao blew O’Sullivan away in the second session on Saturday morning, winning eight consecutive frames to move 12-4 ahead. Seven-time Crucible king O’Sullivan briefly threatened to rally when he won the first two frames tonight but – clearly struggling with his technique – the 49-year-old made too many unforced errors and from 14-6 it was clear his hopes were fading. Snooker’s greatest ever player eventually fell with a session to spare, his biggest defeat since he lost 13-3 to John Parrott in the second round here in 1994.
Zhao is now guaranteed £200,000 and a place in the top 32 of the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings, and that would rise to £500,000 and a top 16 spot with the title.
In the opening frame tonight, Zhao trailed 49-18 when he under-cut a red to a centre pocket, allowing O’Sullivan to make 37 to narrow his deficit to 12-5. Frame 18 came down to the colours and O’Sullivan trapped his opponent in a tough snooker on the brown then took the chance that followed to pull another one back. But in the next, trailing 45-0, the Englishman failed on a red to top corner and that left Zhao the chance to settle any nerves with a break of 62. A tremendous 128 total clearance, the 100th century of the tournament, left Zhao 14-6 clear at the interval.
O’Sullivan’s break of 57 helped him take frame 21, only for Zhao to hit back again with a quickfire 85 for 15-7. A missed red to corner from O’Sullivan early in frame 23 let Zhao in for a run of 63 to move to the brink of victory. Again in the 24th, O’Sullivan had an early chance, but ran out of position on 32, and a loose safety proved his last shot as Zhao rattled in a run of 88, before being embraced by his beaten opponent on the arena floor.
“In the past, when I played Ronnie, I’d get nervous because I really wanted to win, but I didn’t put too much pressure on myself this time,” said Zhao, who had won just one match in two previous visits to the Crucible. “Today I felt a lot more relaxed and enjoyed it, and I ended up playing pretty well. He gave me a few chances, and I took them.
“Tonight I could feel that the whole crowd was cheering for Ronnie. But honestly, I think he deserves it. He’s won here seven times already, and he absolutely has the ability to win an eighth. That’s why I told myself not to relax, because I know he’s someone who can come back from almost any scoreline. I just tried to focus on one shot at a time and make the most of every chance he gave me.
“This tournament feels totally unique. For Chinese and Asian players, no one has won it yet. Every match win here is incredibly difficult. Even though I’ve made it to the final, there’s still a long way to go.
“These past few years, I’ve been working hard to improve my game in practice. Now my shot selections are more reasonable and solid. If I play Mark Williams in the final, I’ll give it my best. I don’t think there’s any other sport where someone can still achieve so much at the age of 50. I have huge respect for Ronnie and Mark, what they’re doing is incredible. If I play Judd Trump it will be the ultimate test. I know how strong he is now, he hardly makes mistakes. I’ll have to be at my absolute best just to keep up.”
O’Sullivan, who changed the tip and ferrule of his cue on Thursday after the first session but to no avail, said: “Zhao played great. We have a really nice relationship and I am always trying to help him if I can. It was his moment to enjoy at the end of the match. It would be amazing for snooker and for him if he becomes World Champion. He will have more of a test against Mark or Judd, that will be a proper test. I at a loss about my game, I don’t know where the white ball is going. I wasn’t that surprised because I have been playing like that in practice and I don’t know how to fix it.“
It wasn’t to be for Ronnie and it’s a very heavy defeat. Yes, it’s disappointing, but we have to remember that only two weeks ago we weren’t even sure he would play, and he went on to reach the semi-finals… that certainly exceeded the expectations I had at the start of the Championship. I’m happy he played, happy he gave it his best and happy he reached the semi-finals
Changing his tip and ferule mid-match didn’t work at all. Some will blame him. I won’t. I remember too many occasions where he took bold decisions: when it worked he was branded a genius, when it didn’t he was blamed for trying.
Before the match Ronnie had said that he was giving himself two more years. Right after this defeat, he wasn’t so sure but I’m not reading too much into that. Hurting, right after a defeat, is not the time to make decisions.
Here are the scores of that match, showing clearly that the damage was done in that disastrous second session, the first and the last were much closer and it also shows that Ronnie was unable to score heavily after he tinkered with the tip and ferule. During the two last sessions he had only one break over 50, a mere 57. Very unlike him.
‘I’m at a loss to be honest with you,’ he said. ‘I have lost what I used to have. I’m so confused. It feels really a struggle.
‘I don’t know if it was me, the cue tip or the ferrule. I didn’t know where the white ball was going.’
On the surprisingly one-sided result, he said: ‘I wasn’t surprised. I have been playing like that in practice. It’s hard to get my head around. I can’t even fix it, that’s the problem, I don’t know if I can fix it.
‘I want to give it two years but if you play like that, it’s pretty pointless. It’s not good.
‘I have been like that for four years, trying to grind it out. I haven’t had a clue where the cue ball was going. I have been willing it in the hole.
‘I don’t know how to correct the fault. That is the worrying thing. I am so far away – I don’t even know where to begin.’
Zhao was keen to whip up a round of applause for O’Sullivan after the final ball was potted, but the Rocket wanted to give the winner his moment after an epic victory.
Zhao clapped his hero off the stage (Picture: Getty Images)
‘We’ve got a really nice relationship,’ said O’Sullivan. ‘I’m always trying to help him if I can and he wanted the crowd to give me a clap at the end but it was Zhao’s moment so I tried to get off as quickly as I could because it was his moment.’
He added: ‘He played great, you’ve got to give credit where it’s due, he was the better player in the whole match.
‘He can definitely get over the line, I think he’ll have more of a test against the other two guys in the semis. I think that will be a proper test for him.’
It was a nice gesture from Zhao to applaud Ronnie as he left. In many ways, this match showed some of the very best aspects of sports. The older champion still trying but knowing his best years are past him and keen to help young talents to develop. The young up-and-coming talent showing respect and gratitude.
Straight after the match Xintong went to Ronnie’s dressing room. He thanked him for his help and support, without which he wouldn’t have got to the final so quickly.
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Zhao Xintong finished level at 4-4 after the first session of their Halo World Championship semi-final at the Crucible.
O’Sullivan started slowly, losing the first two frames, but found some rhythm as he battled back to all-square. They return on Friday at 10am for eight more frames, with a possible eight more on Friday evening then the conclusion on Saturday afternoon. First to 17 frames will go through to the final to face Judd Trump or Mark Williams.
World number five O’Sullivan is playing in the semi-finals in Sheffield for the 14th time, two ahead of Stephen Hendry’s previous record of 12. He is aiming to reach the final for the ninth time which would match Hendry’s record, and the Rocket has won seven of his eight finals. This is the 94th ranking event semi-final of his career and first since the Xi’an Grand Prix last August.
Zhao is already enjoying the deepest ever run by an amateur in snooker’s biggest event. He won four matches just to make it through the qualifying rounds, and has since scored three more victories at the Theatre of Dreams. The 28-year-old from China is hoping to become the first Asian player to life the famous trophy. This is his fourth ranking event semi-final, and on two of the three previous occasions he went on to win the tournament. He becomes the third player from mainland China to compete in the one-table situation at the Crucible, after Ding Junhui and Si Jiahui.
These two have met twice before, O’Sullivan winning 4-3 at the 2016 English Open and 6-1 at the 2022 Champion of Champions.
Breaks of 60 and 62 helped give Zhao the first two frames, before O’Sullivan hit back with 64, 73 and 60 to lead 3-2. Zhao dominated the sixth, before O’Sullivan regained the lead with a break of 82. The last of the session went Zhao’s way with a run of 86 to leave the contest perfectly poised.
Judd Trump pulled away from 3-3 to take a 5-3 lead over Mark Williams in the first session of their Halo World Championship semi-final.
Having played the best snooker of the tournament so far to reach the last four, Trump’s standard dipped in the early exchanges tonight, but he rallied at the end of the session to take a handy overnight advantage. They return on Friday at 2.30pm for eight more frames, then first to 17 on Saturday will go into the final to face Ronnie O’Sullivan or Zhao Xintong.
World number one Trump is playing in his sixth Crucible semi-final and is looking to reach the final for the fourth time. Champion in 2019, the 35-year-old dreams of becoming the seventh player to lift the trophy in Sheffield on multiple occasions, joining Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Selby and Williams himself. He is aiming for his third major title of the season having already landed the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and UK Championship.
Having turned 50 last month, Williams is the oldest Crucible semi-finalist since Ray Reardon in 1985. A veteran of 27 appearances at the Theatre of Dreams, this is his eighth semi-final and the Welshman is looking to reach the final for the fifth time. Williams, who lifted the trophy in 2000, 2003 and 2018, has had a fine season highlighted by victory at the Champion of Champions and a run to the final in Saudi, where he was narrowly beaten 10-9 by Trump. These two met in the semi-finals here three years ago, Williams coming from 12-5 down to 14-14 only to lose 17-16.
World number six Williams took the opening frame tonight with a break of 73 and he had a chance to win a fragmented second but missed the penultimate red to a centre pocket when trailing 60-32, allowing Trump to level. In frame three, Williams led 42-32 with three reds left when he attempted a cross double, but botched the safety element and gifted Trump the chance to go 2-1 up.
A superb 116 restored parity for Williams, before Trump’s run of 52 helped him regain the lead. In the sixth, Trump trailed 33-35 when he missed a difficult pot on the third last red, and he was punished as Williams drilled in a mid-range red and added 48 for 3-3. Trump had a huge slice of luck in frame seven as he fluked a red escaping from a snooker when he was down 54-27. It came down to the colours and Williams lashed at a risky brown to a centre pocket, missing the target and leaving it for Trump to edge ahead.
Bristol’s Trump carried that momentum into the last frame of the night, closing in style with a 109, his 12th century of the tournament and 105th of the season.
I saw nothing of the evening session, and only half of the first session … courtesy of my island thunderstorms.
As I wrote before, I don’t have further expectations regarding Ronnie. I would be delighted if he won, but given that he hadn’t played since January, and hadn’t won a match for over four months coming in Sheffield, it feels like a miracle already that he’s competing in the semi-finals.
As for the other semi-final, realistically, I expect Judd Trump to win it. So far, Willo is making a match of it though. Let’s wait and see.
Mark Williams scored one of his best ever Crucible victories with a 13-12 defeat of John Higgins in the quarter-finals of the Halo World Championship, winning a dramatic deciding frame on the last black.
A bona fide Crucible classic came down to the last few balls and Higgins – who had recovered from 12-8 to 12-12 – rattled a difficult final blue in the jaws of a baulk corner leading 69-56. Williams clipped the blue into the same pocket, the shot of the tournament so far, and rolled in the pink and black to snatch it. Having given both players a standing ovation at the start of the match and another rousing cheer before the deciding frame, fans in the packed arena rose again to applaud these two warriors of the baize at the end of a wonderful contest.
It’s only the second time Higgins has lost a deciding frame at the Crucible, having won nine of his previous ten. The four-time champion looked to have the momentum with his late burst, but lost out by the smallest of margins. Instead it’s Williams, who won his third crown in 2018 by beating Higgins 18-16 in the final, who goes through to the one table situation for the eighth time. He will meet either Judd Trump – who beat him 17-16 at the same stage in 2022 – or Luca Brecel over a possible 33 frames, with the first session on Thursday night.
Having suffered from problems with his eyesight in recent months, Williams came to Sheffield with low expectations, but class is permanent and he has potted the key balls at the big moments in his trio of wins, beating Wu Yize 10-8, Hossein Vafaei 13-10 and now Higgins. Having turned 50 last month, he is the oldest semi-finals since his boyhood hero Ray Reardon reached the same stage in 1985 at the age of 52. Two more wins would make Williams the oldest ever World Champion.
Higgins, who led 5-1 early in the tie before being hauled back to 8-8 on Tuesday night, had first chance in the opening frame today but missed a red to a top corner on 40 and Williams capitalised with 73 to go 9-8 ahead. In frame 18, Higgins trailed 46-21 when he undercut a tricky black to corner and again that proved costly as his opponent doubled his lead. Another miss from Higgins, on the blue to a centre pocket when he trailed 53-36 with one red left, let Williams in to stretch his advantage to 11-8. And a break of 52 in frame 20 from the Cwm cueman put him four ahead.
After the interval, the tide turned as Higgins dominated the 21st then rifled breaks of 94, 112 and 67 to level at 12-12. Both players had chances in the 35 minute decider and it looked to be going Higgins’ way when he potted the last red then black, yellow, green and a difficult brown, but the blue stayed out and he has now to lost to Williams in five of their six Crucible meetings.
“It has to be up there with my best Crucible wins,” said world number six Williams, whose other highlights of a fine season include winning the Champion of Champions and reaching the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters. “I didn’t do much wrong from 12-8 to 12-12, John was coming back like a train. The last frame was edgy and we both missed a couple. The blue I potted was unbelievable, harder than it probably looked on TV. I went for it full-blooded and finished perfect on pink.
“What a game and what an atmosphere. The crowd and the standing ovation helped me through it. John and I are getting on a bit and we have given a lot back to the sport, and been decent ambassadors to try to grow it. Hopefully the crowd appreciate that and they know we might not play each other many more times. The support for both of us was incredible. The applause before the final frame went on so long as I had to wait an extra ten seconds to break off. That has only happened once before – at the Masters when I played John (in 2022). In one frame when John was at the table I was just looking around and thinking ‘what an arena’. Luckily enough I ended up winning, but even if I had lost I would have enjoyed it anyway. I am not sure how I am still doing it at my age, but here I am.”
Higgins said: “I had my chance. I had the blue. If I had potted the brown and rolled through for the blue, maybe it would have been unmissable. But under that much pressure, you play it with an element of safety. So I left a harder blue and missed. It was difficult. At that point I was struggling to see the pockets. Every credit to Mark because he potted a great blue. I had a golden chance earlier in the frame and only made 30, then I played a bad safety and let Mark back into it.
“The atmosphere was incredible. It’s the best place in the world to play snooker. I am devastated right now, but that atmosphere was why we play this game. From 12-8 to 12-12 was the best I have played in the event. But it wasn’t meant to be. It has been my best season for a few years with two big titles.”
Zhao Xintong stepped up his bid to become the first Asian player and first amateur to conquer the Crucible as he swept aside Chris Wakelin 13-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Halo World Championship.
Wakelin had enjoyed a fine run, coming through the qualifying rounds then knocking out Neil Robertson and Mark Allen, but he was no match for 28-year-old Zhao who led 12-4 after two sessions and wrapped it up early in the third to set up a semi-final with Ronnie O’Sullivan or Si Jiahui. He will be only the third player from mainland China to play in the famed one table situation at snooker’s most famous venue, after Ding Junhui and Si Jiahui. So far, Ding has come closest to becoming the first Asian champion, finishing runner-up to Mark Selby in 2016, and Zhao can now dream of going one better.
He came through four qualifying matches just to earn a Crucible spot and has since knocked out Jak Jones, Lei Peifan and Wakelin. Already enjoying the deepest ever run by an amateur in this event, he is looking to join Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy as the only qualifiers to lift the trophy. The gifted left-hander, winner of the UK Championship in 2021 and German Masters in 2022, will now play a best of 33 frame match for the first time in his career, starting on Thursday at 1pm.
Today’s result also means that, with a guarantee of £100,000, Zhao has earned enough prize money to climb into the top 64 of the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings so he will keep those points heading into next season.
Breaks of 69, 92, 56, 68 and 58 helped Sheffield-based Zhao take a 12-4 lead on Tuesday, crucially pulling away from 6-4 to win six frames in a row. Wakelin pulled one back today but Zhao ended his hopes in frame 18 with breaks of 49 and 28.
“I’m definitely happy to win, but to be honest, neither of us played particularly well,” said Zhao. “There were quite a few mistakes, and we both gave each other a lot of chances. I know I’m capable of playing better than that. Maybe it’s because I’ve been playing continuously for over 20 days now, this long format takes a toll on your concentration.
“Physically I still feel okay, but mentally I wasn’t as sharp as I was earlier in the tournament. That’s something I’ll learn from. It’s shown me how I should prepare and how to cope with this type of match in the future. Even though the scoreline looks big, we both struggled out there.
“This tournament is really different from regular ones. It’s more like a battle of mental strength. In other events, you might finish a match in a single session. But here, even if you win one session, or even two, it doesn’t mean you’ve won the match. You need to win the third session too. It’s mentally exhausting. To be ready for this kind of match, you have to prepare well in advance, in your daily life, your routines, in every way really.
“I didn’t set any high expectations for myself coming into this. Now I’ve come this far, I do think there’s a chance I can go even further. I feel like there’s even more potential in me, and I hope I can perform even better from now on.
“When I was a kid, watching snooker on TV and seeing the semis and final here, it was such a powerful image. And now that I’m standing there myself, I feel really happy. Of course, I still hope I can go one step further and win the semi-final, maybe even challenge for the title.
“If it’s Si Jiahui, it’ll be great for Chinese snooker because one of us is guaranteed a place in the final. I think we’d play a very entertaining, attacking match. If it’s Ronnie O’Sullivan, that would be special as well. He’s been my idol since I was young, and playing against him in a World Championship semi-final would be an honour. I’d be excited either way.“
Wakelin said: “It was a big occasion and it didn’t go to plan. I played a big final in China and didn’t feel nervous, but I did feel nerves in this one. The quarter-finals at the Crucible is a big game for anyone. I tried to be too aggressive and my long game went to pieces. I have no regrets, I worked really hard. I have an amazing team and they allow me to be the best version of myself, on and off the table. It has been an incredible season for me and hopefully I can build on that.”
I’m happy for Chris Wakelin being able to take the positives and feeling happy in his private life. There were times when he was utterly miserable and didn’t look healthy either. He worked hard to improve himself, and his game and he deserves everything he gets. I’m wishing him a peaceful and relaxing summer break.
As for Zhao, some people still hate him for what happened. He didn’t fix matches, he bet on snooker and didn’t grass on his mates. Regarding the latter, my own stance is that WST shouldn’t expect it from the players that they report their friends. They have enough means to monitor matches, without putting players in “impossible” situations. Anyway, he served his time, worked hard to re-qualify for the tour and played sensational stuff at times in this event en route to the one table setup. He’s there on merit.
Despite losing six consecutive frames in the middle of the match, Judd Trump earned a 13-8 victory over Luca Brecel to reach the semi-finals of the Halo World Championship, setting a new all-time record in the process.
Trump looked in trouble earlier today when he fell 7-5 behind, having led 5-1, but showed grit and maturity to ride that storm and went on to take eight of the last nine frames for what eventually proved a comfortable victory. No one has played better over the past 12 days and the 35-year-old is clearly confident of his chances of a second Crucible crown, having lifted the trophy in 2019. In his three matches he has made 11 centuries, taking his overall tally for the season to 104, surpassing Neil Robertson’s record of 103 which had stood for 11 years.
World number one Trump will appear in the one-table set up in Sheffield for the sixth time and will be aiming for a fourth final. His next opponent is Mark Williams, a familiar foe as Trump beat the veteran Welshman 17-16 when they played at the same stage in 2022, and also 10-9 with a sensational clearance in the deciding frame when they met in the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters earlier this season. A possible 33 frame contest between the two left-handers gets underway on Thursday at 7pm.
For a while this afternoon, Brecel played a style of snooker reminiscent of his triumph here two years ago. But this time he was unable to sustain it and defeat means the 30-year-old Belgian plummets from seventh to 38th in the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings. Brecel has shown signs of a return to form in the tail end of this season and will need to continue that momentum next term to climb back where he belongs.
Tied 8-8 going into tonight’s final session, Trump was fast out of the blocks with breaks of 115 and 116, setting that new centuries record. He went on to dominate the next two frames to lead 12-8 at the interval. Frame 21 came down to the colours and Trump got the better of a battle on the brown before potting brown, blue and pink to reach his 69th ranking event semi-final.
“I played well for most of the match,” he said. “Luca was unstoppable for a period of six frames. I had to really dig in and get out of the second session at 8-8, that’s where I won the match. I didn’t get frustrated, I kept my head and waited to turn things around. I feel very good about my game, I feel confident. I have played good snooker in every session so far. I have really enjoyed it this year, in the past I have been a bit nervous but this time I have enjoyed the walk-ons, and taken time to have a look around and soak it in.
“It’s always a very high standard when I play Mark. I actually think he has five or ten years still to come if he works hard, the same with Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins. They are all legends and it must be a nice feeling for them to still be having great matches here.”
Brecel, in awe of his opponent, said: “Judd’s incredible. He’s so difficult to play against. Anyone in the draw I would have fancied beating but he’s just a different level. His all round game – you have many players who can score unbelievably, but he backs it up with great safety and great long-potting. That’s incredibly difficult and that’s the reason he’s number one. I think he’s been the best player for maybe the last five years, so it’s no surprise. He’s probably the best number one that’s ever been. He’s still young, he can still win so many more. For me he’s probably the best ever.“
Luca can be and often is infuriating to watch. He’s blessed with extraordinary talent but too often doesn’t do it justice. He may well be the most talented player on tour bar none. But he can be lazy and he can go missing for months on a row because of it. That’s the way he is, always was. There is nothing we fans can do about it. We just have to accept it. But me, being from mainland Europe, I can’t help to think that he could have done so much more to “force” WST to invest more seriously in the region.
Ronnie O’Sullivan moved a step closer to a career-defining eighth Crucible crown by beating Si Jiahui 13-9 to reach the semi-finals of the Halo World Championship, where he will face an opponent he describes as a “fantastic talent.”
Si briefly threatened a fight-back in the closing stages but could never get closer than two frames behind, and O’Sullivan eventually pulled away to clinch the result and reach the last four at the Crucible for a record-extending 14th time. He has played well so far only in patches and may face a tougher test next against Zhao Xintong, who has reached this stage for the first time. They will compete over a possible 33 frames, starting on Thursday at 1pm.
“I got lucky again. I have tried to give it my best and I am just hanging in there,” insisted 49-year-old O’Sullivan, who is level with Stephen Hendry on seven world titles. “I have relied on other people to win and that doesn’t feel good for me. I always feel better when I force the opening and put the pressure on my opponents. You feel a lot better when you’ve won the match rather than they’ve lost it. Look at Judd Trump, Mark Williams and Zhao, I won’t be able to get away with this standard.
“Zhao is an amazing, brilliant player, a fantastic talent who will only get better. But it takes more than talent to win this, you need steeliness. You are going to come up against someone really tough in the semis and final. You have got to stand up to the best players, so whether he can do that remains to be seen.”
Trailing 10-6 going into the concluding session, China’s Si took the first two frames tonight to halve his deficit. And he had first chance in frame 19 but ran out of position on 28 and O’Sullivan punished him by slotting in a long red to set up a break of 82.
Si’s run of 58 helped him narrow the gap to 11-9 at the interval, and he had opportunities in frame 21, missing a red along the top cushion when he led 54-9. O’Sullivan later drilled the penultimate red along a side cushion into a a top corner, his best shot of the match, to set up a 36 clearance. In the 22nd, Si was on 43 when he missed the brown to a baulk corner, and O’Sullivan wrapped up the tie with a cool 74.
Making a record 33rd consecutive appearance at the Crucible, world number five O’Sullivan is into the 94th ranking event semi-final of his career, and is chasing a 42nd ranking title and first since the World Grand Prix 15 months ago.
He added: “Si cued better towards the end of the second session and looked dangerous. He potted some good balls but he was a bit unlucky a couple of times and showed a bit of inexperience. Maybe in two years he would have won those frames, but I was able to steal them.
“I have struggled for the last four years and enjoyed the game less, that’s why I took a break. Now I am trying to play through it see where takes me. I am just grinding it out. I have had some work done on my cue today and I am probably going to have to try and get a new ferrule and tip because it feels awful. I’m playing awful and the cue feels awful so it is the worst situation to be in as a snooker player. I don’t think I can get any worse.”
Ronnie is not playing anywhere near his best, but he’s also not playing as badly as he feels he does. That said, he will need to improve to beat Zhao IMO.
But, let’s be realistic. Two weeks ago, we weren’t even sure he would play at all. He arrived in Sheffield not having won a main tour match in nearly four months, not having played competitively for over three months. He broke his cue … but he’s in the semi-finals. Whatever happens from here he will start the next season no worse than World number 5.
Ronnie
Ronnie O'Sullivan 