Snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan was swiped aside in snooker’s World Open final by a stunning comeback from Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, who recorded a 147
Ronnie O’Sullivan refused to make excuses and admitted that he got a ‘good hiding’ in the World Open final, but is happy to be in a much better place than earlier in the month. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, 40, produced a majestic performance to win just his second ranking title in a 10-7 victory over the Rocket.
O’Sullivan led the final in Yushan, China, 4-0 before Un-Nooh found his groove to play some bewildering snooker. The Thai snooker star recorded a 147 in the penultimate frame of the showpiece event as Un-Nooh won six consecutive frames to claim an impressive comeback.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan was in search of his first title win since January 2024 but could only watch on as his opponent clocked significant breaks at the decisive moment. The 50-year-old, who made history earlier in the tournament with the sport’s first 153 break, could not hide how impressed he was with Un-Nooh and his journey.
“I just want to say well done to Thepchaiya today – unbelievable snooker,” said O’Sullivan, “I watched him last night against Judd [Trump in the semi-finals], and I was like, ‘Wow.’ Judd’s obviously the No.1 in the world and he made him look second best. I was hoping that he didn’t play like that again today but he did.
READ MORE: Huge amount of money Ronnie O’Sullivan has missed out on despite making historyREAD MORE: Judd Trump declares he’s homeless after quitting UK – ‘I don’t really think I can go back’
“He gave me a good hiding really. I was sitting in that chair for quite a long time. But well done to Thepchaiya, brilliant, amazing talent.”
The tournament’s 41st seed was ‘far too good’ O’Sullivan claimed. Nevertheless, the Rocket believes reaching the final showed he was now in a much better place, though he is taking each day as it comes.
“I just want to say well done to Thepchaiya today – unbelievable snooker,” said O’Sullivan.
”I watched him last night against Judd [Trump in the semi-finals], and I was like, ‘Wow.’ Judd’s obviously the No.1 in the world and he made him look second best. I was hoping that he didn’t play like that again today but he did.
“He gave me a good hiding really. I was sitting in that chair for quite a long time. But well done to Thepchaiya, brilliant, amazing talent.”
He added: “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 than him. I am in a much better place than I was even two weeks ago. I’m taking each day as it comes.”
Un-Nooh, who pocketed £175,000 for taking the victory, emphasised how much of an honour it was to beat a player of O’Sullivan’s calibre.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page
“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 interval, spoke to myself and managed my emotions. After being sat on my chair watching Ronnie make three centuries, 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. “
You must be logged in to post a comment Login