Ronnie O'Sullivan punches table and slaps snooker cue in first round win at International Championship

Paul Coyte rounds up the weekends sport
Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 04/11/2024

- 11:42

Ronnie O'Sullivan is through to the second round of the International Championship in China.

Ronnie O'Sullivan got his revenge on He Guoqjang in the first round of the International Championship after letting his anger get the better of him at one stage.

The seven-time world champion is making his first tournament appearance since losing to He at the English Open back in September.


He skipped the British Open, Wuhan Open and Northern Ireland Open due to 'medical reasons'.

But he looks back on form this week after a resounding win over He to progress to the second round.

Ronnie O'Sullivan was furious after the miss

Ronnie O'Sullivan was furious after the miss

EUROSPORT

It was the Chinese snooker star who took a 1-0 lead, but O'Sullivan wracked up four consecutive frames to put him in the ascendancy.

The 24-year-old pulled one back in the sixth frame and the wheels threatened to come off O'Sullivan when he missed a simple red into the corner pocket.

O'Sullivan punched the table in anger before slapping his cue on his way back to his chair with He given a huge opportunity to clear the table.

However, O'Sullivan was able to return to the table and quickly cleared up before clinching the eighth frame for his victory.

The 48-year-old's tournament was initially delayed on Sunday ahead of his hotly-anticipated qualifier against women's world number one Mink Nutcharut due to safety concerns.

Tournament organisers were concerned about the amount of spectators cramming into the arena to try and watch O'Sullivan and Nutcharut.

The match was delayed for nearly an hour before it got underway with the women's snooker star taking the opening frame against a rusty O'Sullivan.

The snooker icon rebounded quickly to take four frames on the bounce, but Nutcharut showed her talents to bring the match back to within one.

Ronnie O'Sullivan then slapped his cue as he sat back down

Ronnie O'Sullivan then slapped his cue as he sat back down

EUROSPORT

But O'Sullivan was able to regain his composure to see out the match and he praised Nutcharut after their encounter.

"An absolute privilege to play such a talented opponent. Thank you for the game and good luck in the future," said O'Sullivan.

The English snooker legend will now face No 28 seed Pang Junxu in the next round with the possibility of going up against old foe Ali Carter in the last-16.

LATEST SPORT NEWS:

Ronnie O'Sullivan got his revenge on He Guoqiang

Ronnie O'Sullivan got his revenge on He Guoqiang

EUROSPORT

Zhang Anda is the top seed for the tournament having won the title last year, where he defeated Tom Ford 10-6.

Top stars such as Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson are also among the favourites to win.

You may like