Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has been knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in the second round by Kyren Wilson. O'Sullivan, who won the most recent of his seven world titles in 2022, was beaten 6-4 after an entertaining contest in which both players produced high breaks.
How did the match unfold?
Defending Shanghai champion Wilson made the stronger start, compiling breaks of 113 and 91 on the way to a 3-1 lead against the 50-year-old. O'Sullivan then responded in style by knocking in three centuries in a row with breaks of 100, 111 and 131 to move 4-3 up.
Wilson, however, finished strongly. He answered with runs of 89, 79 and 97 to clinch three frames in a row and seal a 6-4 victory.
What happens next for Wilson?
The win sets up a quarter-final against Mark Williams, who beat Chris Wakelin 6-5. Wilson said the atmosphere in Shanghai and the chance to face O'Sullivan made the occasion especially memorable.
"It is always great playing in Shanghai and somebody of the class of Ronnie O'Sullivan," said 2024 world champion Wilson.
"You know the crowd are going to come out in their numbers when he is playing. It inspires me and makes me want to play snooker.
"I have my kids with me and I wanted to show them how amazing snooker is out here. I hope they enjoyed that one."
Wilson also reflected on the difficult period he has faced away from the table after his house was burgled in June while he was playing in a snooker event in Leicester.
"It has been really tough off the table, not just on me but on all of the family," he said. "That is life. You have to move on and you have to deal with it.
"Coming into this tournament it has been nice to just play snooker again and get that noise out of my head."
Who else reached the quarter-finals?
Xiao Guodong hit a maximum 147 break in the third frame of his match against Neil Robertson but still lost 6-5. Robertson was 5-2 down before taking the final four frames to complete the comeback.
Judd Trump also reached the last eight after a 6-4 victory against Barry Hawkins.
O'Sullivan's defeat means he leaves the Shanghai Masters after a second-round exit, while Wilson moves on as he continues the defence of his title.
O'Sullivan makes winning start to season in Shanghai
Wilson had his house burgled in June while he was playing in a snooker event in Leicester.
In total, the day featured another maximum break, a comeback from Robertson, and a place in the quarter-finals for Wilson, Williams and Trump.
Key Facts
- Ronnie O'Sullivan lost 6-4 to Kyren Wilson in the second round of the Shanghai Masters.
- Wilson led 3-1 before O'Sullivan made breaks of 100, 111 and 131 to go 4-3 ahead.
- Wilson responded with breaks of 89, 79 and 97 to win three straight frames.
- Wilson will face Mark Williams in the quarter-finals after Williams beat Chris Wakelin 6-5.
- Neil Robertson recovered from 5-2 down to beat Xiao Guodong 6-5 after a 147 break from Xiao.
- Judd Trump beat Barry Hawkins 6-4 to reach the last eight.
