Ronnie O'Sullivan historic match against female No. 1 halted 'for safety reasons'
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Ronnie O'Sullivan's match against Mink Nutcharut at the International Championship in Nanjing, China, faced significant delays due to safety concerns arising from overcrowding.
The highly anticipated contest, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, was postponed by nearly an hour as organisers struggled to accommodate the massive influx of spectators at the South New City National Fitness Center.
World Snooker Tour announced on social media: "Due to the amount of spectators, for safety reasons the afternoon session has been delayed until 2:50pm."
The delay forced the previous match between Zhang Anda and Ishpreet Singh Chadha to be cut short, with Zhang leading 5-4.
Despite the delayed start, O'Sullivan managed to secure a 6-3 victory over women's world number one Nutcharut.
The match began with Nutcharut taking the first frame, but O'Sullivan rallied to win four frames in a row.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's match was delayed by nearly an hour due to the crowds
Eurosport
The Thai player fought back, narrowing the score to 4-3. However, O'Sullivan regained his composure in the final stages.
The seven-time world champion showcased his skill with two century breaks. His final frame break of 132 sealed the win impressively.
It also marked the first time he had played the female No. 1 in a professional event.
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O'Sullivan later praised his opponent on social media, saying: "An absolute privilege to play such a talented opponent. Thank you for the game and good luck in the future."
O'Sullivan was effusive in his praise for the tournament and Chinese events in general.
He remarked, "Best tournaments in the world, the fans are amazing, we're supported really well, you only have to look at this venue, how great it is, the facilities, it's beautiful."
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The Rocket continued, "We're happy to be here, all the players love being here, we're treated very well. So it's a pleasure for all of us to come here and play in China for all of the events."
He added, "You really make us feel special, which is all the snooker players ask for. Well we don't even ask for that, but you offer your wonderful hospitality which is gratefully appreciated."
O'Sullivan's next challenge in the tournament will be against He Guoqiang in the second round.
The 24-year-old Chinese player has proven to be a formidable opponent for O'Sullivan in the past.
Ronnie O'Sullivan emerged victorious over Mink Nutcharut on Sunday
Eurosport
Notably, He Guoqiang has won both of their previous encounters, making this upcoming match particularly intriguing.
The contest will be crucial for O'Sullivan as he pursues the tournament's top prize of £175,000.
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A fantastic 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 from Ronnie O'Sullivan seals a 6️⃣-3️⃣ win over Mink Nutcharut 🚀
— Eurosport (@eurosport) November 3, 2024
#InternationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/WsUfUQHKAe
As the International Championship continues in Nanjing, fans can expect more thrilling snooker action. The event's move to this new venue has clearly sparked significant interest among local spectators.
O'Sullivan's performance and the tournament's popularity highlight the growing enthusiasm for snooker in China.
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