The Rocket's Fall from Grace: O'Sullivan Self-destructs in World Snooker Championship Semi-finals
Preeminent Snooker Player O'Sullivan Causes Devastating Self-Defeat
Ronnie O'Sullivan, the seven-time world snooker champion, stumbled in the semis, losing 3-5 to Chinese player Zhao Xintong at the Crucible Theatre. O'Sullivan's dream of an eighth title shattered as he went down 17-7, riddled with errors and a lack of confidence.
The Crucible was no friendly ground for O'Sullivan this time. In the third session, he found himself overpowered by Zhao. His normally flawless game crumbled under the pressure, with simple mistakes piling up and opportunities squandered.
Lamenting his performance, O'Sullivan confessed, "I made it too easy for Zhao. I've never had so little confidence." The 49-year-old Englishman, who appeared shaken, added, "Sometimes you know what you have to do, but I just didn't have that feeling."
With title number eight, O'Sullivan would have secured the Modern Era record. Instead, Zhao now stands on the brink of winning his first world championship. "He's naturally tough to beat, especially when you're making as many mistakes as I was," O'Sullivan conceded. The final will see Zhao confront either Judd Trump or Mark Williams.
The second session had left O'Sullivan under immense pressure. He had lost eight consecutive frames, succumbing to Zhao's relentless tactics. The first two frames on Friday evening were claimed confidently by O'Sullivan, but then the wheels came off.
In the days leading to the semi-finals, O'Sullivan was already candid about his struggles. "I'm playing terribly... I can't get away with what I've done so far," he admitted. The other semi-final promises to be a gripping contest. Williams managed to bring the score to 8-8 with a 5-3 win in the second session.
[1] O'Sullivan swaps cue tips, ferrule overnight amid equipment troubles - ntv.de, ter/sid[2] O'Sullivan takes pre-tournament break to 'get over match anxiety' - BBC Sports[3] Analysis: Ronnie's Rocket crashes as semi-final blitz bites - BBC Sports[4] O'Sullivan survives tense decider to book semi-final spot - BBC Sports
- I'm not going to be able to do this, Ronnie O'Sullivan may have thought as he swapped cue tips and ferrule overnight amid equipment troubles, a day after confessing, "I'm playing terribly..." (ntv.de, ter/sid)
- O'Sullivan's dream of an eighth world championship title was shattered terribly, and it seemed the pressure of competing in the World Snooker Championship had gotten to him, causing simple mistakes and missed opportunities, as he self-destructed in the semi-finals against Zhao Xintong (BBC Sports)
- In what may prove to be one of the most disappointing moments of his career, Ronnie O'Sullivan's once unbeatable game was no match for Zhao Xintong in the World Snooker Championship Semi-finals, despite his previous promises of a stellar performance discussed via WhatsApp with friends (BBC Sports)
