Ronnie O’Sullivan has been knocked out of the opening round of the Champion of Champions after a dramatic final-frame shoot-out with Xiao Guodong.
O’Sullivan had to wait while others were in action this week before taking to the table against Goudong.
But the seven-time world champion wasted no time when he eventually did step out in the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
He gave Goudong no chance in the match as he quickly raced into a 3-0 lead with the Chinese star failing to make a single pot.
Ronnie O’Sullivan needed just one frame to win
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That left O’Sullivan needing just one frame to progress to the next round, where either Mark Selby or Shaun Murphy would be waiting.
However, Xiao finally found an opportunity to get on the board and he didn’t look back.
A superb 130 got the 35-year-old up and running with O’Sullivan slumped back in his chair.
It was a similar story in the fifth frame as Xiao continued his comeback before going on to win the sixth and force a decider.
Xiao took the early advantage in the seventh frame and looked on course to ease through to the next round after successfully breaking open the pack of reds.
But his cue ball positioning evaded him at a crucial moment with O’Sullivan given a brief chance to fight back.
After a back-and-forth between both players, Xiao was back in control and just needed a straight red into the middle pocket to secure the frame, but he incredibly missed.
Xiao was eventually able to get the job done after O’Sullivan was unable to get the snooker he needed before conceding to leave the Bolton crowd stunned.
Ronnie O’Sullivan scored just 42 points in the final four frames
ITV
Xiao paid credit to O’Sullivan after the match and even apologised after his ‘lucky’ win.
“I didn’t think I could win this game because the first three frames I didn’t pot one ball,” he said.
“I think I got a little bit of luck.”
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He added: “I think this is my best win also against Ronnie.
“I’m sorry to Ronnie because he played so well and I think I have the chance to lose the last frame because I have to get a bit of luck.
“In snooker, one ball can change the game so sometimes I just think play every shot, every time keep being focused.”