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Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Kyren Wilson blows shot at snooker history as 'silly' act leaves him with egg on his face
Former snooker world champion Kyren Wilson attempted a no-look shot at the conclusion of his clash with Si Jiahui at the Shanghai Masters, completely unaware of the stakes at play Kyren Wilson says he doesn't regret his botched no-look shot against Si Jiahui at the Shanghai Masters, despite it costing him a piece of snooker history. The 2024 World Snooker Championship victor faced off against the gifted Chinese player in the last 16 of the tournament. During their best-of-11 encounter, Wilson and Jiahui managed six century breaks between them. This accumulation matched the record set by Judd Trump and Neil Robertson at the 2016 Masters, plus Robertson's later battle with Mark Selby in 2020. Having reached 97 in the decisive frame, Wilson had the chance to pot the black and set a new record for most centuries in a best-of-11 clash. Rather than rolling the black safely into the corner, Wilson looked away from the table and attempted to smash the black into the pocket with sheer force. His calculations were slightly off, as the ball bounced off the cushions and rolled clear of the pocket. Wilson did not realise the importance of that moment, but maintained he would have attempted the same audacious shot regardless. When asked about his final attempt by the World Snooker Tour, he cheekily responded: "Oh no! I did the silly no-look thing." The World No. 2 then added: "Especially in China, I feel like the sport is blowing up over here and a lot of it is about doing things a little bit differently to other players. "So try to have a bit of fun with no-look blacks. The crowd really appreciate that sort of thing and they like to see a little bit of characters from the players. "Disappointed it didn't break the record, but I didn't know that. It was an amazing game to be involved in, every frame had a break over 70 or 80 or something like that. "It was crazy, but so happy to win it. There's no chance I'd have just rolled that black in. I'd still do even if I knew about the record. "It is still about trying to do things differently. We are stepping into a modern era in snooker, and nice to see someone doing things a little bit different." Wilson might have concluded with a touch of showmanship, but he was tested throughout by the World No. 15. The Kettering ace found himself behind at 3-1, 4-3 and 5-4 but still managed to overcome the Shaoxing potter, who compiled breaks of 55, 124, 139, 95 and 127, whilst Wilson notched up 120, 82, 114, 114 and 83. Reflecting on the encounter, the 33-year-old, who will meet either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Barry Hawkins in the quarter-final, heaped praise on his opponent, saying: "I don't think a game can get any harder than that. "I think up until the deciding frame he missed one ball. He was relentless and some of the balls he knocks in are frightening. "I worked hard going into this event, and I'm glad I can see that hard work shining through. That has allowed me to battle back into the game and doing enough to win it. It is nice to still be involved."
The Irish Sun
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals plan to become world champion in different sport after retiring from snooker
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has got his eyes on conquering another sport after already becoming one of the greatest snooker players of all time. The Rocket, 49, is widely thought of as the best player to ever grace the baize and he reckons he can reach the top in another sport too. Advertisement 2 Ronnie O'Sullivan has set his sights on becoming world champion in another sport Credit: Getty Despite not retiring from snooker just yet, O'Sullivan has his sights on becoming pool world champion when he does finally call it quits. The seven-time world snooker champion has said he will give Chinese eight-ball pool a crack when the day comes, but has vowed to give snooker at least another two years to rediscover his form. Speaking to the at the opening of a new snooker club in Hong Kong, JJ8 Club , O'Sullivan said: "Chinese eight-ball is very, very popular now in China. "Many players play in big tournaments in China, and for someone like me, when I finish playing snooker, then I will play Chinese eight-ball. Advertisement READ MORE IN SNOOKER "It's a big sport in Asia, especially China, so when I retire from snooker, I want to become world champion in Chinese eight-ball." It comes after He said recently: "I said I wanted to at least do two proper years. "Put everything I was doing on the back burner. I don't feel like I have that luxury anymore to do other things and try and compete. Advertisement Most read in Snooker 2 O'Sullivan is committed to another two years playing snooker Credit: Reuters CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I think I owe it to my career to focus just on playing for the next two years, at least, and just see if I can rediscover some decent form. "Try and finish my carer on a good note and not how it's felt for the last three or four years. That's my main goal." Advertisement Zhao Xintong's classy act towards Ronnie O'Sullivan revealed after knocking legend out of World Snooker Championship O'Sullivan has described his play as "awful" and "a struggle" in recent times, but still sits fifth in the world rankings and Now the snooker icon is preparing for next week's Shanghai Masters, where he will face Barry Hawkins or Wu Yize in his opening clash next Wednesday. Inside Ronnie's colourful career FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight. The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it. O'Sullivan And the Rocket's He has While the controversial cueist reckons he Despite His And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their Check out all our
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Is Ronnie O'Sullivan playing Championship League and Shanghai Snooker Masters?
CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE is back on our screens, marking the return of snooker after the World Snooker Championship. Ronnie O'Sullivan was a semi-finalist at the tournament, losing to eventual winner Zhao Xintong. The Rocket famously smashed his cue in the Championship League back in January, beginning a hiatus from the sport. He began his 2025 World Championship against Ali Carter, who is out of Championship League in the group stage of the 2025 tournament. The tour has been on a break for the summer, meaning none of the top stars in the sport have been in action as of late. SunSport can reveal when O'Sullivan will be returning to action. Is Ronnie O'Sullivan playing Championship League Snooker? No, Ronnie O'Sullivan will not feature at Championship League Snooker. O'Sullivan's last competitive match was a 17-7 loss against Zhao Xintong in the World Snooker Championship semi-final. O'Sullivan famously smashes his cue into pieces back in January at Championship League snooker. The Rocket is not alone in missing Championship League, with World No 1 Judd Trump and world champion Zhao Xintong both missing the tournament. Kyren Wilson and Mark Selby also skip the tournament, with Ali Carter returning to unsuccessfully defend his title, crashing out in the group stage. When is Ronnie O'Sullivan returning to action? According to manager Jason Francis, Ronnie O'Sullivan will return to action at the Shanghai Snooker Masters. O'Sullivan is set to miss Championship League Snooker, and will return to action in Shanghai. The Shanghai Snooker Masters is set to take place between July 28 and August 3. The Rocket will be playing for his share of £825,000.
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former World Snooker champion Neil Robertson lands new job – and it could affect Ronnie O'Sullivan
NEIL ROBERTSON has landed himself a new job, which could have an impact on snooker rival Ronnie O'Sullivan. Three months after his shock first-round exit at the World Championship , the Aussie has bagged himself a new gig with the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 2 Neil Robertson has landed himself a new gig three months after his shock World Snooker Championship Credit: ALAMY 2 The Aussie has been added to the WPBSA's Players' Board Credit: GETTY Robertson has been added to the WPBSA's Players' Board, a role which will require him to represent and support players outside of the UK on the World Snooker Tour. A snippet of WPBSA statement read: "It has today been announced that Neil Robertson has been co-opted to join the Board of WPBSA Players with immediate effect. "The 2010 world champion is widely regarded as one of the best long-potters and break-builders in the history of the sport and has won an incredible 25 ranking titles as well as being one of only 11 players in history to complete the Triple Crown. "In 2014, he became the first player to compile over 100 century breaks during a single season. "As the most successful player to ever come from Fan favourite Robertson is over the moon with his new gig. He said: "It is an honour to have the opportunity to represent the views and feelings of my fellow professionals. "And to be able to use my own personal experiences to help the next generation of players." Most read in Snooker JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS World Snooker Championship 2025 THE World Snooker Championship has concluded after a thrilling final! Follow all the reaction with SunSport's live blog of the World Snooker Championship Latest News Snooker Explained FULL results for 2025 How much prize money was won? Who were the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? What is on Zhao Xintong's bow tie? Robertson isn't the only player to have recently been handed a gig by the WPBSA. The organisation recently appointed Ben Woollson as their second-ever player-director in June, five months after Mark Davis' appointment. Snooker star Neil Robertson told he could win World Championship again if he ignores Crucible concerns Woollaston said: "I am pleased to join the board of WPBSA Governance and be able to provide representation for player issues at the highest level of our sport. "As a professional snooker player for over 20 years, I have been privileged to see first-hand the development of our sport during that time and to live the highs and lows of competing on the World Snooker Tour. "I look forward to sharing my experience with the team at the WPBSA and to helping shape the future development of our sport, from grassroots level to the professional circuit." Woollaston and Davis will work in conjunction with Nigel Mawer and governance director Nigel Oldfield to oversee the direction the body is taking.
The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Snooker legends Steve Davis and Jimmy White set for DJ BATTLE at UK festival with England football legend also on bill
STEVE DAVIS and Jimmy White are set to renew their decades-old rivalry - in a DJ battle. The pair's rivalry, which was one of the best in the eighties, is still to this day one of the best in snooker history . Advertisement 4 Steve Davis and Jimmy White had one of the best rivalries in snooker in the 1980s' Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD 4 The pair will renew their iconic rivalry on a different battleground in August Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD 4 The pair will take part in a DJ battle at the Rock N Roll Circus festival in Sheffield next month But the duo, 67 and 63 respectively, will now go head-to-head in a DJ Battle at the Rock N Roll Circus fstival in Sheffield on Saturday 30th August. It's unclear what the battle, which is currently the talk of snooker fans, will look like. But it'll be interesting to see the pair spin the decks several years after they called time on spinning balls into pockets for a living. Davis and White won't be the only former sportsmen performing at Rock N Roll Circus. Advertisement READ MORE SNOOKER NEWS Former CHRIS WADDLE is also on the bill . Waddle's slated appearance is equally as surprising as the DJ battle booking of Davis vs White. White, who got the better of Davis in their last meeting at the 2010 World Seniors Championships, has good memories of his "healthy" rivalry. But he recently likened their battles to going to "war". Advertisement Most read in Snooker Breaking Exclusive JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 Former England international turned pundit Chris Waddle is also set to feature at the festival Credit: Rex White said: "Neal will tell you, anybody playing in the 80's, Steve Davis was the hardest player I have ever played against. "He had such a great cue action, such great temperament and his scoring ability, he was so consistent, made so few mistakes. Advertisement Mark Williams attempts new way of potting yellow as snooker referee struggles to contain his laughter "I had a style similar to [John] Higgins, probably even more attacking then Higgins. "I went for my shots, so then the newspapers set up this new rivalry, because Steve Davis kept on winning. "I quite liked it, me and Steve Davis, I was sort of wasting me time partying and he was practicing. "So I never had any problems with Steve Davis, but you knew, if you were playing Steve Davis, you were going to be in a war. Advertisement "I had a rivalry with him that lasted for five or six years, and I think it was quite healthy for the game." World Snooker Championship 2025 THE World Snooker Championship has concluded after a thrilling final! Follow all the reaction with SunSport's live blog of the World Snooker Championship Latest News Snooker Explained FULL results for 2025 How much prize money was won? Who were the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? What is on Zhao Xintong's bow tie?
