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Maximum man Un-Nooh denies O’Sullivan for World Open glory

Jonathan Davies in World Open

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Ronnie O’Sullivan v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh live stream | World Open 2026 Final preview

Un-Nooh produced a scintillating finish to capture the World Open crown

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh hit a 147 on the way to claiming his second ranking title with a 10-7 win over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Open final.

The Thai Rocket – also the 2019 Shoot Out champion – enjoyed the biggest payday of his career, pocketing the top prize of ยฃ175,000 after sealing victory with a blistering streak of three straight total clearances in Yushan.

Un-Nooh, who recovered from 4-0 and 7-6 down, compiled the seventh 147 of his career in the penultimate frame, though it was not enough for the high break prize following O’Sullivan’s historic 16-red clearance of 153 earlier in the week.

Nevertheless, the 40-year-old’s victory saw him snatch the last remaining place in the 12-man Tour Championship, while he climbs to 22nd in the WST rankings.

“It is like a double dream final now,” he said. “This has always been my dream, to lift the title against Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final. For the rest of my life, this is something I’m not going to forget.

“I went to the practice room in the [final] interval, spoke to myself and managed my emotions. After being sat on my chair watching Ronnie make three centuries [to lead 7-6], I told myself this is a great final and to enjoy it.

“I don’t know how what happened after the interval came true. I can’t believe it. I’m still stunned with my performance. How did I do that? Sometimes, snooker is one-way traffic. To make a 147 in the final against Ronnie O’Sullivan in a final is a great honour.

“This is my first time winning a [conventional ranking] event and this is the biggest prize of my career. It is a dream come true and a step forward. I want to make snooker come back to be as famous as it used to be in Thailand, like the old times.”

O’Sullivan, who edged out Wu Yize 6-5 in the semi-finals, famously took just 108 minutes to trounce Un-Nooh 10-1 at the 2020 World Championship, in what was the quickest best-of-19 match in Crucible history.

The Rocket was quick out of the blocks again in his 66th ranking final, with breaks of 73 and 124 helping him soar into a 4-0 lead.

Un-Nooh dropped just five frames in his first four matches this week, before hitting three centuries on the way to a 6-4 victory over world number one Judd Trump in the semi-finals.

The Thai came roaring back after the mid-session interval, reeling off five frames on the spin with runs of 83, 82 and 80 to flip the contest on its head.

Un-Nooh then made it six in a row at the start of the second session, producing a 50 clearance from 55-10 down to snatch the 10th on the black for 6-4.

O’Sullivan, seeking his 42nd ranking silverware and first in 26 months, stopped the rot in spectacular fashion, hitting three consecutive centuries of 114, 132 and 136 to go back in front at 7-6.

Yet, the seven-time World champion would score just six more points, as he could only watch and admire his inspired opponent.

Un-Nooh levelled with runs of 42 and 77 during a dominant 14th frame, and regained his lead at 8-7 with a superb 132 total clearance.

The Thai then delighted the crowd with his third 147 break of the season – and the 240th in snooker history – to move to the brink of victory, which he subsequently secured with another nerveless clearance of 131.

“It has been a positive week, but I have to say Thepchaiya was unbelievable. He deserved his victory,” O’Sullivan added.

“He played much better than me today. I watched his semi-final and he was strong. I couldn’t go with that. It was far too good for me.

“Thepchaiya was flowing and had every shot in the book. I have to accept that is how it is. If I found that bit extra, I could have made it tougher for him.”