Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed he’s at the moment a “very poor snooker participant” after struggling one other early exit on the China Open on Wednesday.
The 51-year-old was crushed 6-4 by Noppon Saengkham within the second spherical in Taiyuan, with the seven-time world champion as soon as once more left to rue a efficiency suffering from uncharacteristic errors.
O’Sullivan has now gone greater than two years with out profitable a rating title, together with his most up-to-date success coming on the World Grand Prix in early 2024.
He suffered a number of early exits from competitions final season, though he did attain the ultimate of the World Open in March the place he was denied glory by Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
O’Sullivan has slipped to 14th on this planet rankings, and the Rocket provided one other dreary evaluation of his present stage after his newest defeat.
“I’m simply very poor,” O’Sullivan stated, as reported by the World Snooker Tour. “Too many dangerous photographs, dangerous frames, and foolish errors.”
“I’ve been like this for 4 years so I’m used to it, nevertheless it’s irritating. I don’t need to take something away from Noppon.
“He performed a very good match, he’s cueing sturdy. I’m only a very poor snooker participant in the meanwhile, it’s so simple as that.”
The defeat means O’Sullivan’s wait for an additional deep run in a rating occasion continues, whereas Saengkham can now sit up for a spot within the China Open quarter-finals.
The Thai, ranked forty fifth on this planet, had already produced one of many largest shocks of the match by defeating world primary Judd Trump within the opening spherical.
He adopted that up by dispatching O’Sullivan as he continues his bid to win the primary rating title of his profession.
Saengkham’s earlier greatest efficiency in a rating occasion got here on the 2023 Scottish Open, the place he reached the ultimate earlier than dropping to Gary Wilson.
He’ll now face Shaun Murphy within the final eight after the Magician defeated Xiao Guodong 6-2.
The opposite accomplished last-16 matches on Wednesday additionally produced some notable outcomes.
David Gilbert continued his spectacular begin to the 2026/27 marketing campaign with a 6-2 victory over reigning world champion Wu Yize.
The Englishman, who additionally thrashed house favorite Ding Junhui 6-1 earlier within the match, compiled breaks of 132, 122, 80, 56 and 54 to cruise into the quarter-finals.
Gilbert will face Zhou Yuelong within the final eight after the Chinese language participant defeated compatriot Liu Hongyu 6-4 with assistance from a powerful haul of 4 century breaks.
In the meantime, the remaining 4 fixtures from the second spherical can be performed on Thursday.
Neil Robertson takes on Si Jiahui, with the Australian now realizing that his hopes of reclaiming the world primary place have acquired a significant increase.
With Trump, Wu and Zhao Xintong all already out of the match, Robertson can assure his return to the highest of the rankings later this month if he wins the China Open.
The opposite matches see three-time China Open champion Mark Selby face Kyren Wilson, Stuart Bingham meet Hossein Vafaei, and Chris Wakelin encounter Zhang Anda.
For O’Sullivan, his consideration will flip to the Wuhan Open later this month.
The Rocket is scheduled to face Ashley Carty within the opening spherical, giving the Englishman one other alternative to attempt to halt his worrying spell of type.
Featured picture credit score: WST
