UK Championship Snooker live: Updates from Ronnie O’Sullivan’s loss to Zhou Yuelong

So, only two matches are left in the last 32 and then we will know the complete line-up of the last-16.

There are some interesting fixtures in York this evening, with 2024 World Champion Kieran Wilson taking on rising talent Elliot Slessor and last year’s finalist Barry Hawkins also in action.

Kieran Wilson vs. Elliot Slessor

barry hawkins vs david lilly

Eighth time lucky for Zhou Yuelong – defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan after seven consecutive losses.

And the Chinese were naturally pleased after crossing the Qimen Line.

“I’m happy because it’s the first time in my career I’ve beaten Ronnie,” Zhou told BBC Two. “I have played with him many times but never won.

“I was nervous to play but then I was calm, I got some good protection and I scored well.

“I can’t believe it. I practice that shot every day.” [the final green]Two years ago I lost to Ronnie in the quarter-final decider, When I messed up on yellow, I prepared for a decider, but I was lucky that he snookered himself,

“With a big kick shot on the black it looked like he was going to win the frame but it turned over. Everyone knows if you keep working hard you can win big trophies.”

A brief interview with Ronnie O’Sullivan after his defeat and why he was not happy with his performance today.

“He played better than me,” O’Sullivan said. “I didn’t let him struggle much and I made a lot of mistakes.”

“Losing is losing. I accept that it’s part of being a professional athlete.”

“I’ll have a nice Christmas, enjoy it and see how I feel in January.”

Well, it was not to be for Ronnie O’Sullivan today. He didn’t play poorly, but Zhou Yuelong scored a brilliant century and then showed courage to steal five more frames with clearances of different sizes. The Chinese star’s superb restraint.

The Rockets, however, will have to wait another year in their quest to win a ninth UK title.

He has done it! Zhou Yulong swept the remaining points and defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 6–4.

In the seven previous meetings between the pair, O’Sullivan had won all seven but Zhou ultimately prevailed! Great performance and a thoroughly deserved win.

Eight-time UK champion is out! Zhou advances to face Mark Selby in the last 16. What is the result?

Zhou can’t see the putting angle of the yellow so he has to play it safe but it’s disappointing! He has stuck the yellow for O’Sullivan. Terrible shot.

But he is equally bad on Ronnie’s part. Digs the yellow color and chooses the green color himself. What’s going on here?!

58-46 to O’Sullivan but Zhou has his sights set on the long pot on the green. Class! He has fixed it. Can he clear his way to victory?

O’Sullivan caught and passed Zhou’s score, with one red left on the table. All their colors are on their spots and that’s how it should be.

But while playing the final from blue to yellow he flicks the brown ball! This moves him out of position and he misses the thinly sliced ​​pot! O’Sullivan leads 56-46, only four colors left but he is not done with it.

For O’Sullivan there are all reds in the middle of the table, except one towards the right cushion.

And when he is on 19 he decides to take a tough raid. It’s there! Pocket heart. Both players missed some tough corners today but they never went in.

Now is a golden opportunity to force a decision

The pink color is good but Zhou needs to bring white color around all the angles. He only has a potential two-red plant left to continue the break…

And he missed! It has become wider and the red color remains on the top of the pocket. Zhou leads 46-0 but O’Sullivan comes back to the table and can counter hereHe is clinging,

Zhou gets broken at 13 early but comes back in what he hopes will be the final frame.

There was huge applause when he hit a mid-range red arrow into the middle of the pocket to keep the break going. His lead has reached 40 points…