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Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from 2023 European Masters

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Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the 2023 European Masters in Nuremberg for medical reasons.

O’Sullivan was due to face Andy Hicks in the opening round of the world ranking event on Tuesday evening, but pulled out earlier in the day.

Former Crucible semi-finalist Hicks will now receive a bye through to the Last 64 to take on China’s Peng Yisong.

O’Sullivan, who also withdrew from the Championship League last month, is now set to make his first competitive appearance of the season at the Shanghai Masters in September.

Should reigning World Champion Luca Brecel reach the Semi-Finals of the European Masters or Mark Allen wins the tournament, O’Sullivan would surrender the world number one ranking.

Meanwhile, Graeme Dott also withdrew from the European Masters earlier this week and was replaced in the draw by Steven Hallworth.

Liu Hongyu failed to get a work permit and was also forced to withdrew, with 2020 European Masters champion Neil Robertson or Wu Yize receiving a bye to the Last 32.

The European Masters runs from August 22-27, with 64 players competing for £427,000 in prize money in the second ranking event of the season.

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