Home / Sports / Xiao Guodong upsets idol Ronnie O'Sullivan in snooker shock
Xiao Guodong upsets idol Ronnie O'Sullivan in snooker shock
5 Feb
Summary
- Xiao Guodong defeated idol Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 in the World Grand Prix.
- O'Sullivan, seeking his 42nd ranking title, was eliminated early.
- Guodong achieved a tournament-leading 144-break in his victory.
In a surprising turn of events at the World Grand Prix, Xiao Guodong has defeated his idol, seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan. The match concluded with a 5-3 scoreline in favor of Guodong, who secured his quarter-final spot.
O'Sullivan was aiming for his 42nd ranking title, but his early exit mirrors that of other prominent players like Neil Robertson and Judd Trump. Guodong's performance was marked by a tournament-leading 144-break in the opening frame, setting a strong tone for his victory.
Despite his elation at progressing, Guodong conveyed mixed emotions, stating he felt sorry for his idol but emphasized his competitive drive. He will face Pang Junxu in the next round. Meanwhile, Barry Hawkins also suffered a second-round defeat, losing 5-3 to Zhang Anda.
