Ronnie O’Sullivans quest for a ninth UK Championship was dealt a terminal blow as he slipped to a disappointing 6-4 defeat to Barry Hawkins in the opening round of the 2024 event.
Last year’s winner and top seed, O’Sullivan has been in poor form through the last few months and that miserable run was continued as O’Sullivan fell well short of the form that we have all become so accustomed to seeing.
O’Sullivans latest defeat is yet another example of many in the game believing that O’Sullivan’s career is starting to slide and with the seven time World Champion already stating on numerous occasions that he is struggling for motivation, many are fearing that this could be the beginning of the end.
O’Sullivan Positive Despite Another Early Exit
For decades Ronnie O’Sullivan has been the best front runner in snooker. A true wizard on the table, when the Rocket is flowing in confidence there are few in the game that can keep pace.
However with O'Sullivan falling early in the Saudi Arabia Masters, English Open, Northern Irish Open, China International and Champions of Champions, even the great players lose their confidence and it’s evident that O’Sullivan is currently doubting himself.
Starting well, the defending champion found himself 3-1 up and then 4-2 up but was unable to shake off the attentions of Barry Hawkins and Hawkins produced a superb comeback to beat O’Sullivan for just the third time in his career.
Making mistakes that would keep Hawkins alive, O’Sullivan could just sit and watch as the world number 20 levelled the contest at 4-4 and held his nerve to clinch the vital ninth frame.
Needing just one frame for the victory, Hawkins stretched out to a 60-0 lead but missed to give O’Sullivan a glimmer of hope. With the pressure at its highest, O’Sullivan couldn’t make the most of his lifeline, missing, Hawkins made no mistake the second time around and was visibly emotional when the win was sealed.
As can often be his way, O’Sullivan was magnanimous in defeat and was keen to praise his opponent, ‘Barry played a good match and deserved his win, so I have to give all the credit to him. 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.’
O’Sullivan’s latest quotes will be music to the ears of snooker fans all over the world as a happy O'Sullivan usually means that a brilliant O’Sullivan. However, there is no doubt that the Rocket is experiencing a confidence crisis and fans will hope that he returns to form soon.
Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen And Ding All Progress to Round 2
Some of snooker’s biggest names have been in action through the first couple of days of the UK Championship and both Shaun Murphy and Ding Junhui progressed from tight first round matches to set up a mouthwatering encounter between the two men in the second round.
Murphy had the tough task of facing off against 2021 Champion Zhao Xintong who was making his first appearance since being banned for 20 months over match fixing.
Zhao, who when at his fluent best is one of the best players in the world, showed little signs of rust and did well to fight back and force the decider. Murphy has now gone ten years without winning one of Snooker’s bug three titles and he was able to hold his nerve as he advanced through a nervy final frame to win 6-5.
He will square off against recent International Championship winner Ding in the second round after the China man survived a scare of his own as he beat Robert Milkins in another match that had to be settled via a deciding frame.
World number three Mark Allen had to use all of his survival skills as he battled past Jackson Page 6-4 in his opening round contest.
The winner of this tournament back in 2022, Allen will have his sights on winning a second UK Championship title but he will need to play much better in the upcoming rounds if he is to beat the best players in the world.
In what was a scrappy game between two players who are usually so fluent, it was Allen who sinked the balls when they mattered the most and it was he who booked his place in the second round. Clearly unhappy with how he played an exasperated Allan exclaimed ‘It's not fun, I'm not going to lie - I couldn't enjoy any part of that match. It's unsettling given how much I practice, and considering how hard I've been working. I'm probably not as far as I think I am, I'm my worst critic.’
With Allan doubting his chances and form, it will be interesting to see how he plays in the second round where he will face either Si Jiahui or Yize Wu.
Other Big Names Get Set to Launch Their Bid
The action continues to come thick and fast with world number one kicking off his campaign on Tuesday against former fellow World Champion Neil Robertson.
Robertson is a former winner of this event and he has had to battle his way into the main draw courtesy of a victory over Matthew Steven’s in qualifying, ranked 18 in the world, 2024 has been a bounceback year for the former world number one and he certainly won’t have any fears taking on Trump, especially after he beat him just last week at the Champion of Champions event.
Eyes will also be on world number two Kyren Wilson who will be looking to add the UK Championship to his World Championship crown that he won earlier this year. Wilson, who recently tasted victory at the Northern Ireland Open will be hoping to put down another marker and make his case for being the best player in the world.
Like Trump, he faces an experienced opponent in the shape of Steven Maguire and he will need to play his best if he is to advance.
Jonathan Ashby
Jonathan Ashby, at 35, boasts a deep well of knowledge about the world of snooker. A specialist with a passion for the game's history, techniques, and players, he provides invaluable insights to both novices and seasoned enthusiasts. Through his articles, Jonathan aims to share the rich tapestry and nuances of this beloved cue sport.
 (1).webp)
