RONNIE O’SULLIVAN made a rare howler when he potted the WHITE BALL during the first break of his World Championship semi-final.
After winning the toss, O’Sullivan looked angry with himself after the foul awarded Xhao Xintong four points on the table.
O’Sullivan’s break-off was less than ideal as he sent the white into the green pocket in record time.
And the unprecedented mistake allowed Xhao to build up an advantage before taking a 2-0 lead.
The Rocket, 49, was using a fresh tip for his semi-final, as he bids make another Crucible final.
The seven-time world champion did fight back to win the next three frames in Sheffield, but Xhao then made it 3-3.
After appearing to settle quickly, Xhao, 28, started making costly errors of his own while going for wild and aggressive reds.
O’Sullivan booked his place in the semi-finals with a 13-9 win over Si Jiahui – but he was visibly distressed at times.
Leading 10-6 from Wednesday morning’s session, the Brit lost three of the first four frames in the evening as Si closed it to 11-9.
At one point he sharply punched his hand on the table following a mistake.
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But a sublime long red paved the way for him to win a tight 22nd frame and he completed his victory with a break of 74.
After beating Si, O’Sullivan said: “I am just grinding it out. I have had some work done on my cue today.
“And I am probably going to have to try and get a new ferrule and tip because it feels awful.
“I’m playing awful and the cue feels awful so it is the worst situation to be in as a snooker player. I don’t think I can get any worse.”
Having not played competitively since snapping his cue at the Championship League in January, O’Sullivan expressed reservations over his ability to be competitive when he arrived in Sheffield.
He added: “He (Si) played poor and let me off the hook.”
World Snooker Championship 2025
WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action!
There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round after a stunning performance from Lei Peifan.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is eyeing a record EIGHTH World Snooker Championship crown, while World No 1 Judd Trump remains the tournament favourite.
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