After a longish absence from the tour and several latish withdrawals, Ronnie DID play in Berlin yesterday and won his match. He wasn’t at his best – which was to be expected given the lack of competition – but he did enough ans is through to the next round where he will face Ali Carter. I’m sure both of them are over the moon and relish the prospect … 😎
.Ronnie O’Sullivan prevailed 5-1 over Long Zehuang in his first Berlin appearance since 2017 at the Machineseeker German Masters.
The seven-time Crucible king is only appearing on European soil for the second time this season, having lost his opening round match against Zhou Yuelong at the UK Championship. Following today’s victory he declared that his one remaining ambition is to capture a record breaking eighth World Championship title.
41-time ranking event winner O’Sullivan, who claimed the German Masters crown in 2012, has operated under a stripped back calendar this season and pulled out of the recent Masters in London due to medical reasons. However, the Rocket has based himself in Ireland in recent months and practising hard in a bid to keep his game sharp.
There were signs of match arena rustiness in today’s match, both players were caught out with some unexpected misses. It was 50-year-old O’Sullivan who was the more clinical of the two. He produced breaks of 63, 55 and 93 during the win and now faces a fiery clash against old adversary Ali Carter.
“I’ve been feeling a lot better in practice. I felt the tables were unbelievably fast. I just couldn’t control the ball. I haven’t played on tournament tables that much. So you have to hit them differently, you have to strike them more pure, more confidently. I haven’t really had enough practice in those type of conditions. So that was tough,” admitted O’Sullivan.
“I’d like to win one more (World Championship). I will probably have three or four genuine attempts at it. I think that is going to be my main goal for the rest of my career, to try and win one more. If I can that would be great, but still just try and enjoy the game, enjoy the crowds and enjoy the tournaments.
“I’ve probably left it a bit late. I’m not saying I can’t do it this year, I’d have to do alright in some of these tournaments beforehand. Maybe get to the quarters of the Worlds, you never know. It’s a different animal, that tournament, once you get to that stage, anybody can win it really. So, yeah, I think that would be one last ambition left in snooker – to get the eighth World. It would be 8-8-8. That would be nice.“
World number one Judd Trump got off to a perfect start with a 5-0 whitewash win over Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka Wai.
This event is a happy hunting ground for the Ace in the Pack, having captured the title on three occasions. However, he is aiming to break a trophy drought which saw him fail to win a tournament in the calendar year of 2025.
Trump top scored with 73 this morning and victory sees him progress to a second round meeting with Ryan Day.
Trump said: “It is tournaments and arenas like this are what get me up for continuing to play snooker. Anyone who can get the chance to still be around for the semi-finals and final, when it is down to one table, it is something special. The German crowd is something similar to the London crowd. They are quite boisterous but very respectful and they make the event very special.
“A lot of times this season I feel like I’ve been the best player or one of the best going into the semi-finals and the final. I’ve just not got over the line. I’ve given myself as many opportunities as I do in other seasons, I just haven’t been as clinical under the utmost pressure.“
World Champion Zhao Xintong came through with a 5-0 win over Chinese compatriot Jiang Jun. In the final frame, Zhao had his sights set on a maximum but missed the penultimate red to end his run on 104. He now plays Tom Ford.
Last week’s losing Masters finalist John Higgins bounced back and continued his good form with a 5-1 win over relegation threatened Jamie Jones. Next up for the Wizard of Wishaw is Zhou Yuelong.
Defending champion Kyren Wilson swept to a 5-1 defeat of Anthony McGill to make the last 16. Awaiting him is either Barry Hawkins or Zhang Anda. Meanwhile Shaun Murphy was a 5-1 victor against Julien Leclercq and will face either Mark Allen or Gao Yang.
What Ronnie said is quite encouraging on all grounds.
Here is the last frame of the match
Ronnie wasn’t at his best, certainly, but that was to be expected after being out of competition for so long.
Defending champion Kyren Wilson blitzed to a winning start at the Machineseeker German Masters, beating Robert Milkins 5-1 at Berlin’s iconic Tempodrom.
The Englishman is riding the crest of a wave currently, having won a dream maiden Johnstone’s Paint Masters title just over a week ago. Having negotiated two epic 6-5 wins over Neil Robertson and Wu Yize, he overcame the legendary John Higgins 10-6 in the title match to secure the Paul Hunter Trophy.
He arrives on a happy hunting ground this week in search of his first ranking silverware of the season. Four of his ten ranking crowns have come on German soil. Last year Wilson defeated Barry Hawkins 10-9 in a thrilling final to secure the Brandon Parker Trophy.
Breaks of 75, 63, 119 and 65 saw Wilson home comfortably today. He now progresses to face Anthony McGill in round two. After this afternoon’s game Wilson revealed he’d spent part of the aftermath of his Masters triumph cheering on sons Bailey and Finley, who competed in the English Under-14s Snooker Championship.
2024 World Champion Wilson said: “They were a little bit unfortunate that they drew each other, not only in the groups but in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately my youngest Bailey had a few tears, but they got to the quarters and the semis on their first tournament. They loved it and had butterflies the next day. The next morning they were in the snooker room practising and I thought that is the difference. That is what can help make them successful snooker players if that is what they want to go on and do.
“I loved it and I took my dad, who would have been a part of my journey. It was a blast from the past with my dad but also new beginnings. Watching them as the draw was being made I could see them eagerly waiting. I was getting butterflies for them as I know what a special feeling it is.”
Welsh three-time World Champion Mark Williams eased through with a 5-1 win over Sanderson Lam to book his place in the second round.
Williams won the German Masters just months before his third Crucible crown in 2018. He will be hoping for another deep run this week to set up a big second half of the season. Next up he faces Jimmy Robertson.
The 50-year-old has been toying with laser eye surgery this season, but is reticent to take the plunge and risk a downturn in form, having been runner-up in the World Championship last season.
Williams said: “I’m postponed until March at the moment. They will probably ring me back then and I’ll postpone again until after the World Championship. I just don’t know what to do.
“It was alright in patches tonight. I potted some good long ones and had a couple of breaks in there. I just need to get a few more wins.”
Indian number one Ishpreet Singh Chadha secured a big win to boost his tour survival hopes, clinching a deciding frame to beat Scottish Open champion Chris Wakelin 5-4. He progresses to face Elliot Slessor.
Singh Chadha said: “For the crowd and the venue, I don’t know what it is but it feels like home. I feel like I am playing in India. I have so much support. Having people cheering you on makes you want to play your best. I was happy to get through, having been 3-1 down. I am really pleased with this win. I’m very excited.”
Shaun Murphy got his campaign underway with a 5-2 defeat of Zak Surety, while Mark Allen was a 5-3 victor against Oliver Lines. They now play Julien Leclercq and Gao Yang respectively.
I had laser surgery some twenty years ago and it saved my life… but then I was extremely myopic, I literally couldn’t see anything clearly further than about 5 cm from my face without the lenses but, after wearing them for 20 years, my eyes didn’t accept the contact lenses – hard ones at the time – anymore. But the surgery is not without risks and inconveniences. F.i. now I can’t drive at night. Strong artificial lights bothers me and lights from cars driving in my direction at night look like fireworks…
Ronnie O'Sullivan 