Ronnie O’Sullivan crashes out of UK Championship after Barry Hawkins defeat
Ronnie O’Sullivan crashed out on day one of the UK Championship following a 6-4 defeat by Barry Hawkins at the York Barbican Centre.
The Hawk claimed only his fourth victory over the Rocket in 22 attempts (including the Championship League), and first since his 13-12 success in the 2016 World Championship second round.
Hawkins looked set for another defeat when reigning champion O’Sullivan established a 4-2 lead in the launch of his quest for a record-extending ninth UK title.
However, the former World and Masters finalist reeled off next four frames for the loss of just 12 points, to cap a superb turnaround with a memorable triumph.
“It has been eight years since I’ve beaten him, so that win has to be right up there for me,” Hawkins told BBC Sport. “It’s a massive win.
“So many times I’ve played him and he has done well and, other times, he has been there for the taking, and I’ve crumbled and could not take advantage. Maybe, I was a bit more aggressive today, I had a bit more confidence and belief.
“He looked sharp to me, but I felt strong at the end to get a win. Hopefully, this gives me a lot of confidence and I can take that into the next round, but I can’t get carried away.”
“Obviously, this is a great result, but there’s no way I will be happy if I beat Ronnie and then lose in the next round. I know I can do it, but sometimes I’ve not turned up, played awful and crumbled, but I’ve now just beaten the best player in the world.”
What a performance from 4-2 down. 👏 #UKChampionship pic.twitter.com/8grsbMIm4i
— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) November 23, 2024
O’Sullivan had not lost at this stage of the UK Championship since 2010, and was quickly out of the blocks with a wonderful 128 total clearance, while further breaks of 114 and 69 moved him 4-2 to the good.
The Rocket, who was playing in only his third UK-based event this season, had an early chance in frame seven, but was visibly annoyed when missing a red to the left centre.
He could only sit and admire thereon as Hawkins notched up 320 unanswered points, with runs of 73, 75, 88 and 60 on the way to sending the eight-time champion packing.
“Barry played a good match and deserved his win, so I have to give all the credit to him,” O’Sullivan added. “He played well, was solid and took his chances.
“I’m just enjoying playing, that’s the important thing. I try to not look back on it and on to whatever the next event is.”
His first defeat at this stage of the season’s opening Triple Crown since 2010. 👀 #UKChampionship pic.twitter.com/oAr8hLtgVv
— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) November 23, 2024
Hawkins’ reward is a last-16 showdown with David Gilbert, who was also a 6-4 winner over a seeded player in Xiao Guodong.
With both players having only previously progressed beyond the UK Championship last 32 on two previous occasions, Gilbert took advantage with breaks of 54, 53, 72 and 98 putting him 4-2 in front.
Wuhan Open champion Xiao, who was appearing in this event for the first time as a seed, rallied to level at 4-4, but further contributions of 53 and 63 saw the Angry Farmer over the line.
Elsewhere, three-time champion – and runner-up in each of the last two years – Ding Junhui recovered from 5-3 down to edge out Robert Milkins in a deciding frame.
The Milkman trailed 3-2, but won the next three frames with a brilliant break of 130 along the way.
But Ding, who lifted this trophy in 2005, 2009 and 2019, was not to denied, dominating the next three frames with contributions of 57, 135 and 63 to progress.
🏆 2005
🏆 2009
🏆 2019
🥈 2022
🥈 2023
❓ 2024#UKChampionship pic.twitter.com/EGaDxDy5ej— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) November 23, 2024
Next up for him is a meeting with 2008 champion Shaun Murphy, who also prevailed in a deciding frame against 2021 victor Zhao Xintong.
The Magician took a lengthy opening frame on the black, while further breaks of 98 and 76 put him 3-0 to the good.
Zhao had come through four qualifying rounds to reach the main stages at his first WST tournament since completing a suspension for match-fixing offences.
The Cyclone stopped the rot with a run of 50 before pinching the next two frames on the black – producing a magnificent 73 clearance from 59-0 down in the latter – to level at 3-3.
The next four frames were shared as the contest went the distance, but Murphy held his nerve to dominate the decider and book his place in round two.
“Anyone that has watched me for any part of my career will know it’s not straightforward – I should’ve had it dead and buried,” said the Magician, who had lost his opening UK Championship match in four of the previous six years.
“He is a wonderful, beautiful player to watch, so I’m absolutely over the moon to get through. Bar Neil Robertson, he was the one everyone wanted to avoid. To get him in the last 32 was as tough a draw as I could’ve got.”
That win means a lot. 💪 #UKChampionship pic.twitter.com/rMnvP954vM
— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) November 23, 2024
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UK Championship 2024 | Day One Results
Saturday, November 23
Round One
Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-6 Barry Hawkins
Shaun Murphy 6-5 Zhao Xintong
Ding Junhui 6-5 Robert Milkins
Xiao Guodong 4-6 David Gilbert