In an unexpected turn of events, Ronnie O’Sullivan was eliminated from the International Championship after losing to Jack Lisowski. The 2019 Northern Ireland Open champion defeated O’Sullivan with a final score of 6-5 in a tightly contested third-round match.
Match Highlights
The match took place at the South New City National Fitness Center in Nanjing, China. Lisowski initially took control, racing to a 5-3 lead and securing a remarkable break of 113. O’Sullivan, approaching his 50th birthday, made a comeback to level the match. The excitement culminated in a decisive 11th frame, where Lisowski successfully potted a challenging black ball to secure his victory.
Lisowski’s Recent Form
This win marks Lisowski’s first triumph over the seven-time world champion. At 34 years old, he is enjoying a strong run, boasting nine consecutive victories on the World Snooker Tour. His next challenge will be against Barry Hawkins, who advanced after a 6-3 win over Jak Jones.
Other Notable Performances
- Zak Surety achieved a remarkable 147 break during his 6-5 win against Aaron Hill, marking his second career maximum.
- World champion Zhao Xintong narrowly defeated Lei Peifan with a scoreline of 6-5.
- Stephen Maguire overcame Kyren Wilson, winning 6-4.
- John Higgins continued his journey with a 6-3 victory over Hossein Vafaei.
- Other successful players included Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy, Ding Junhui, Neil Robertson, and Mark Selby.
- Anthony McGill, Si Jiahui, and Wu Yize also secured their places in the fourth round.
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s exit at this stage serves as a reminder of the fierce competition present in the tournament. The International Championship continues to showcase exciting matches and emerging talents in the world of snooker.
