World Grand Prix snooker LIVE – Judd Trump dumps Mark Selby to reach semi-finals after Ronnie O'Sullivan victory
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Updated 18/01/2024 at 22:27 GMT
It's a big day at the 2024 World Grand Prix in Leicester with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Allen, Judd Trump and Mark Selby all in action. 'The Rocket' faces Zhou Yuelong in the last-16 afternoon session, just days after winning The Masters by beating Ali Carter 10-7 in the final. Ding Junhui is another man in action on Thursday as he takes on Thailand's Noppon Saengkham. Follow live updates with us.
No Filter: Behind the scenes as O'Sullivan wins record eighth Masters crown
Result: Williams 4-5 Cao
Thanks for joining us. We will back for more live updates at 12:45pm on Friday as Ronnie O'Sullivan faces Gary Wilson for a semi-final spot.
Quarter-finals (best of nine frames)
Thursday, January 18
- 7pm: Cao Yupeng 5-4 Mark Williams
- 7pm: Judd Trump 5-1 Mark Selby
Friday, January 19
- 1pm: Gary Wilson v Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 1pm: Ding Junhui v Zhang Anda
Williams 4-4 Cao (33-86)
In goes the red, and he drops in the black. And barring snookers, Cao is heading to the last four. Bangs in yellow. Williams so unlucky not to finish off the match with shot from yellow to the pack, but such is snooker. Williams offers the handshake and it is a 5-4 win for Cao. He will face Trump in the last four on Friday night.
Williams 4-4 Cao (33-51)
Looking very good here for a winning run to the line. Only one red safe on top cush, but surely that isn't an impossible ball to drop in.
Williams 4-4 Cao (33-28)
Well, that is a disaster for Williams. Thought about a plant on reds. Opted against it, but makes a mess of the safety shot. And a golden chance presents itself to the Chinese player, a former Scottish Open and Shoot Out finalist.
Williams 4-4 Cao (33-5)
Terrific long red by Willo just when he needed it. Well, that is so unfortunate as he slots a yellow at pace. Comes off one cushion at pace, but somehow doesn't land on a red as white sticks on a red and pack opens. Just the roll up to red to follow.
Williams 4-4 Cao (20-5)
Mark with a terrific on a red across the table straight off the bat. Williams rolls a lovely blue into the top pocket rather than go for broke into the reds. A solid rest shot follows. But he can't get the reds open off the pink. Left with a thin cut on a red. And in it goes, but not on a baulk colour and just the roll up behind the yellow to follow.
Williams 4-4 Cao (0-5)
First chance of the final frame falls to Cao as he thumps a long red into the rigging with a real sense of authority. Well in stroke now. But he misses an easy red right away. Left jaw. And that must be pressure.
Williams 4-3 Cao (6-119)
No big counter punch from the Welshman though as he can only add a blue. Frustrating. And this match is heading for a final frame at the Morningside Arena as Cao finishes with 55 to level us up from 4-2 behind. Winner will play Judd Trump in the semi-finals on Friday evening.
Williams 4-3 Cao (1-64)
But Cao can't put the frame away at that visit as he misses red using the rest. And Williams drops in a stunning plant on red.
Williams 4-3 Cao (0-57)
This looks like we are heading for a final-frame decider. Cao not exactly a speed merchant, but doesn't need to be. Just don't miss is the key. Doesn't matter how you play them. Williams frozen out of the match at moment. 21 minutes since he potted a ball.
Williams 4-3 Cao (0-40)
Cao responds by drilling in red at pace to right middle. Another chance then for Cao to extend his lead in this frame. Williams forced to spectate at moment.
Williams 4-3 Cao (0-27)
Cao stunning into pack of red, but can't open up the pack and the break will end on 27. Williams looking for a good long pot, but actually opts for a safety shot rather than pushing boat out.
Williams 4-3 Cao (0-11)
Cao with a thumping straight pot on a red from distance, and he again gains access to the table. Not the most eye-catching player, but certainly an effective cue action.
Williams 4-2 Cao (11-84)
This frame is heading towards Cao. Very impressive stuff. Could be a century on the go too. But black stays out. 74 break and it is indeed 4-3.
Williams 4-2 Cao (11-53)
Bridging over a red on black, but gets right through the white ball to continue this break. Former Scottish Open finalist not lacking focus among balls. Has these balls at his mercy.
Williams 4-2 Cao (11-31)
Safety error by Williams trying to run white back to baulk presents Cao with a golden chance to extend this match to an eighth frame. Plenty of reds in the open.
Williams 4-2 Cao (11-10)
Mark Williams claims the sixth frame of the evening to move within one frame of victory and a semi-final meeting with Judd Trump on Friday evening. Williams with breaks of 92, 60 and 67 this evening so far.
Quarter-finals (best of nine frames)
Thursday, January 18
- 7pm: Cao Yupeng 2-4 Mark Williams
- 7pm: Judd Trump 5-1 Mark Selby
Friday, January 19
- 1pm: Gary Wilson v Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 1pm: Ding Junhui v Zhang Anda
Trump 4-1 Selby (69-23)
Judd with a stylish break of 68 to finish off the match as a 5-1 winner. Mark offers the handshake. He is through to tomorrow night's semi-finals and a match against either Mark Williams or Cao Yupeng with Williams holding a 3-2 lead.
Trump 4-1 Selby (41-23)
In perfect position to see off this frame with another heavy break. Nothing in his path towards the semi-finals.
Trump 4-1 Selby (28-23)
Not sure this has been vintage Trump tonight, but solid Trump is more than enough to hold court. Enough reds in open to get frame and match won here and now.
Trump 4-1 Selby (2-23)
Very aggressive shot by Selby to slam in a black after picking out plant on red to left centre. Superb pot. Looking to up the pace around the table here, but he then misses the black off spot and Judd will return to the table. But he ends up knocking in a red after going into pack at pace off the pink. Selby left with red to green bag, but is well off the potting angle as it stays out. A real struggle for Mark tonight in the main.
Trump 4-0 Selby (24-100)
Trump inches away from holing a tricky black, but it stayed out and Selby has stepped in with an immaculate break. In goes the black for the 100. Where was this level of quality for the first four frames? Back to 4-1 behind.
Trump 4-0 Selby (24-46)
Selby enjoying his highest break of the match. Four reds left and in the open. Surely must open his account for the night here.
Trump 4-0 Selby (24-17)
Much, much more like the Selby we are used to. In normal circumstances, would expect him to win the frame here, but he has been struggling tonight so far.
Trump 4-0 Selby (24-8)
Players back out after the break, and immediately Trump back at the table after Selby leaves a red for his opponent in trying to run white into the pack of reds off two cushions. Trump chasing a seventh win in his past eight meetings with Selby this evening. And he picks out a stunning red to the green pocket, but tough cutback black sticks in the jaws. So Selby will come back to the table then.
Trump 3-0 Selby (120-0)
His 56th century of the season is put away by Trump. 119 of the very best from Trump. Selby with a highest break of only 24. Which is never going to cut it down the club, never mind in this company.
Trump 3-0 Selby (77-0)
Judd out of position on a break of 61. But he rescues the situation by producing a brilliant cross double on the red to left centre. In it goes. And he pops in the black. This frame is over. Century is available if needed.
Trump 3-0 Selby (55-0)
Could be a big break here from Judd, who is growing in confidence the longer this goes on. Meanwhile, Williams is 3-1 up on Cao on the other table.
Trump 3-0 Selby (24-0)
Judd really showing some glorious safety skills tonight to force Selby into another error. Red off the side cushion is left by the local favourite Selby attempting a safety. Are we heading for a 4-0 lead on the main showpiece table?
Trump 3-0 Selby (1-0)
Not really like Selby at all this evening. A bit like Mark Allen earlier today, feels like a very passive display so far as Judd nudges a lovely red into a left centre. What a pot that is. Just safety to follow.
Trump 2-0 Selby (75-15)
Trump dots the is and crosses the t's on the third frame for a 3-0 lead. Not exceptional level of play, but is applying real pressure to Selby, who surely has to win the fourth frame to remain in the hunt for a semi-final spot.
Trump 2-0 Selby (62-15)
Another chance for Mark, but he sees a tricky red roll along the baulk cushion before sticking in the jaws. A real struggle for the four-time world champion. Looks like 3-0 incoming.
Trump 2-0 Selby (50-15)
Mark rolls in black, but doesn't get the cannon on intended red and just the safety shot to follow. Hard work for Selby at moment. And Trump then thumps in a beauty from distance.
Trump 2-0 Selby (49-8)
38 from Trump, but he thumps a blue at pace to the green bag and it leaps back out. Not sure he needed to drill it that hard. What is Selby going to offer up in response? Five reds left on table.
Trump 2-0 Selby (15-0)
Not happening so far for Mark as another tricky red across table doesn't threaten the pocket. Judd again on the move then. What will he piece together from this visit to the table?
Trump 2-0 Selby (11-0)
Can Selby recover before the mid-session break? Trump the dominant force so far in this contest. And he rattles in another magical long red. Screws white back up for green ball. Deep screw seven or eight feet back up the table. Stunning piece of cueing. Williams suddenly 3-0 ahead of Cao Yupeng on the other table.
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Trump 1-0 Selby (68-42)
Trump drops in yellow, green and brown to leave Mark needing a snooker. Blue, pink and black left up. And Trump pops in blue and pink for a 2-0 lead. A 28-minute frame falls to Judd.
Trump 1-0 Selby (54-42)
Well now. Trump escapes from a snooker, but ends up leaving red to right centre. Chance for Selby, but not entirely straightforward to clear up with all the colours away from their spots. And he misses the yellow trying to bring white back across for green. Bad miss for Selby.
Cao 0-2 Williams
Mark Williams opens with a break of 92 and has pocketed the second frame for a 2-0 lead over Cao on the other main showpiece table.
Trump 1-0 Selby (54-31)
Down to the final red with Trump enjoying a lead of 23 points. Looks like it is going to come down to the red to settle this frame.
Trump 1-0 Selby (48-31)
23 from Selby in response before a black off spot doesn't drop. Trump then misses a tricky red seconds later to a top pocket. So Mark handed a reprieve with two reds still tied up on the left side cushion.
Trump 1-0 Selby (48-14)
Trump attempts to force home a tough pink from distance, but it rattles in the jaws and bounces back out. Was probably worth going for. Selby with chance to launch the counter attack.
Zhang Anda continues impressive campaign
Trump 1-0 Selby (47-0)
"He looks superb. Terrific touch," says 1994 Masters champion Alan McManus after watching Judd make a rapid 47 at the outset of the second frame. A real sense of purpose about Trump so far.
Trump 1-0 Selby (10-0)
Judd looks to be right in the mood this evening so far. First to the punch again in the second frame. Chance to put more clear water between him and Selby in the second frame of the evening.
Trump 0-0 Selby (71-28)
In goes the final red for Judd, and Selby has seen enough of this frame. A 1-0 lead for Trump.
Trump 0-0 Selby (70-28)
Selby had chance after the Trump miscue, but couldn't cash in and looks like the Juddernaut is going to put this first frame to bed. A 59 break from Trump, but he can't slot final red and Mark will play on for snookers in the opening frame. 42 behind with possible 35 left up. So two snookers needed.
Trump 0-0 Selby (11-5)
Super reception for both men this evening, and Trump responds with a blistering long red. Nothing wrong with that piece of cueing. Should settle him down nicely. But he is snookered after going into the pack. And he miscues trying to run the white off two cushions to brown in baulk. Opportunity for Selby to get hand on table.
Trump 0-0 Selby (0-0)
Welcome back to the World Grand Prix quarter-finals in Leicester with Judd Trump and Mark Selby set to battle it out this evening. Mark Williams meets Cao Yupeng on the other main showpiece table this evening. The winners of these respective quarter-finals will meet in the first semi-final on Friday night at the Morningside Arena.
Result: Zhang 4-2 Allen
Quite an afternoon with Ronnie O'Sullivan edging Zhou Yuelong 4-3 in an absorbing match, and Zhang setting up a quarter-final meeting with Ding Junhui on Friday courtesy of a 4-2 win. We will be back just before 7pm with Judd Trump and Mark Selby meeting in the quarter-finals. Which should certainly be interesting.
Thursday, January 18
- 1pm: Tom Ford 2-4 Gary Wilson
- 1pm: Zhou Yuelong 3-4 Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 2pm: Zhang Anda 4-2 Mark Allen
- 2pm: Noppon Saengkham 1-4 Ding Junhui
Quarter-finals (best of nine frames)
Thursday, January 18
- 7pm: Cao Yupeng v Mark Williams
- 7pm: Judd Trump v Mark Selby
Friday, January 19
- 1pm: Gary Wilson v Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 1pm: Ding Junhui v Zhang Anda
Zhang 3-2 Allen (71-15)
Brilliant shot using the rest by Zhang to slot a red near a side cushion. And he keeps calm to cue through the black. In it goes. And surely this is chance to get frame and match won. Just one red needed using rest. In it goes. And the black is despatched to follow. He will meet Ding Junhui in the last eight on Friday. Mark Allen has seen enough. Allen's title defence is over in the last 16.
Zhang 3-2 Allen (46-14)
Zhang moves to 37, but this frame will be all about the split on the pack of reds. One good split on the reds could be key to the last eight. But he gets nowhere near the pack and blue is also overcut in staying out. No winning run to the line. Still six reds left up. And Allen responds by thundering in a plant on reds in middle of pack. That missed blue by Zhang a key moment, but Allen not on the next colour. So opts to nudge a red away from left middle using yellow.
Zhang 3-2 Allen (0-14)
Zhang seems to have lost his way in this match as a red to left middle does not threaten the pocket, and Allen presented with chance to build a healthy lead. But he is out of position on a red on 14. Goes for a red to right centre, but it stays up. Near jaw. Zhang handed a reprieve.
Zhang 3-2 Allen (0-0)
Thursday, January 18
- 1pm: Tom Ford 2-4 Gary Wilson
- 1pm: Zhou Yuelong 3-4 Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 2pm: Zhang Anda 3-2 Mark Allen
- 2pm: Noppon Saengkham 1-4 Ding Junhui
Quarter-finals
Thursday, January 18
- 7pm: Cao Yupeng v Mark Williams
- 7pm: Judd Trump v Mark Selby
Zhang 3-1 Allen (42-64)
Well, would you believe it? Zhang misses yellow off spot. That is a huge miss. Looked set for victory, but Allen handed a lifeline. In goes yellow, green, brown, blue and pink. And that is back to 3-2 for Zhang, who suddenly looks very twitchy. Allen within two frames of the last four, Zhang continues to seek out the one he needs.
Zhang 3-1 Allen (36-44)
Still work to be done by Zhang with one red left up. Heading to the business end of the frame. Will Allen get another shot in this frame and match?
Zhang 3-1 Allen (9-44)
A 40 run from Allen. Before he plays safe. Zhang comes up with a safety response which is not exactly devastating and Allen picks out a long red played with safety in mind. Second chance of the frame for Allen to get this won and close to 3-2 behind. But he is quickly out of position and Zhang carts a long red into a top pocket. Golden chance for Zhang to put this match to bed with five reds left up.
Zhang 3-1 Allen (1-28)
Zhang has an early chance in the fifth frame, but he misses a black off the spot. Allen responds and is quickly out of his chair to ram home a blistering recovery blue to remain at table. Pink on the black spot at the moment.
O'SULLIVAN THREATENS TO QUIT AFTER WIN OVER ZHOU
Ronnie O'Sullivan was scathing about his form despite producing another outstanding performance to reach the World Grand Prix quarter-finals on Thursday in Leicester with a 4-3 win over Zhou Yuelong in the last 16 boosted by breaks of 67, 107, 50 and 90 and a positional success rate of 97%. "I’ve got to really consider whether I can continue feeling how I'm feeling out there," said O'Sullivan. Read more here
Zhang 3-0 Allen (0-137)
A brilliant total clearance of 137 gets Allen off the mark in this contest. Back to 3-1 behind. Zhang missed a red to left middle early on and sat out the rest of the frame.
Zhang 3-0 Allen (0-74)
Much, much more like it from Allen, who is going to get the job done here in one hit. Could be a century coming up too. His 25th of the season so far.
Zhang 3-0 Allen (0-60)
Allen moves quickly to 37 with a black just struggling over the line off the spot. Doesn't look overly content with matters, but he keeps the break going with another solid pot on the black. Nice work here so far from the Antrim man. His best of the day so far. Winner of this match will meet Ding Junhui, who has completed a 4-1 win over Noppon Saengkham on the other table.
Zhang 3-0 Allen (0-6)
Early chance for Zhang, but a red to left centre comes back up the table. Allen needs a decent break surely at this visit to let his opponent know he is in the fight.
Zhang 2-0 Allen (57-16)
Is the defending champion Allen heading for the exit door? Feels like he has gone missing from this contest. Not the most memorable frame in living memory, but Zhang takes it to lead 3-0.
Zhang 2-0 Allen (50-16)
A real scrappy affair in this third frame. Zhang playing with an average shot time of 28 seconds per shot, but he produces an excellent pot on a red to left middle. In goes black and a fine cut on the penultimate red joins it. A lead of 34 points heading onto the final red. Which is safe.
Zhang 2-0 Allen (15-16)
A huge fluke for Allen. Was heading back to his chair after missing a long red to green pocket only to see the red roll back down the table, hit the pink and drop in a top bag. Will that be game-changer? No so far as a tough brown off spot fails to drop. Zhang back at table.
Zhang 2-0 Allen (15-5)
Two big opportunities for Zhang in this third frame, but not taken with his cue ball control letting him down. Allen must sense a sign of weakness for the first time today perhaps, but he can't slip home a red to right centre.
Zhang 1-0 Allen (70-40)
A break of 46 in the second by Zhang sets up the second frame for a 2-0 lead. He is halfway to the quarter-finals.
Zhang 1-0 Allen (70-26)
Brilliant swerving shot by Allen to get out of the snooker, and he leaves Zhang behind the yellow and in a snooker on final red. Zhang goes off two cushions to complete a fine escape.
Zhang 1-0 Allen (70-26)
Poor safety shot by Allen to leave red over top pocket. And that should be that for this frame. In goes the red followed by black. Allen needs three snookers. Solid game management so far by Zhang.
Zhang 1-0 Allen (62-26)
Well now, will that be a turning point? Zhang on the cusp of a 2-0 lead, but he misses black off a spot to leave the door open for Allen. Can he walk through it? And the answer is no as he can't tuck away the penultimate red, but at least doesn't leave it for Zhang. Two reds left up.
Zhang 1-0 Allen (32-0)
Another excellent red to regain access to the baize by Zhang, who is not really for taking a backwards step today or this season. Allen been a passenger so far in this contest.
Zhang 1-0 Allen (16-0)
Another blunder by Allen from distance in trying to clip thin off a red. And he has presented Zhang with another easy starter in this second frame of a possible seven. But he has overcooked the screw shot and is quickly out of position. What a chance he has passed up there. Just safety to follow.
Zhang 0-0 Allen (95-0)
A break of 95 from Zhang and he is up and running with the first frame of the day. Allen heavily punished for a sloppy safety shot.
O'SULLIVAN UNHAPPY WITH DISPLAY
“I can’t fathom it out,” said O’Sullivan on ITV after his 4-3 win over Zhou Yuelong that saw him hit breaks of 67, 107, 50 and 90. “I’ve got to really consider if I can carry on feeling how I’m feeling. I’m getting no enjoyment, it’s hard work and I’ve got no clue where the balls are going – it’s guesswork and a struggle.
"The worst thing is I’m winning bloody tournaments! If I was losing, it would be an easier decision. I need a break at least. I’m getting no satisfaction from it. I’d rather cue well and lose than cue badly and win tournaments.”
Zhang 0-0 Allen (66-0)
Has really taken these balls well, and not far away from seeing out this frame. Chance to open up with a century too.
Zhang 0-0 Allen (46-0)
Excellent shot by Zhang to pot a pink to left middle after using extended rest to slot a pink. Likes to float a ball into pockets. Which helps to make them drop. Making solid progress here.
Zhang 0-0 Allen (10-0)
Lovely longish red by Zhang to power in the pot, and come back up the table for yellow. Decent early chance here for Zhang to get hand on table and pot a few balls.
Zhang 0-0 Allen (0-0)
Zhang breaks off the action in this first frame. International champion Zhang leaves a long red, but Allen can't convert from distance. Both men settling into the match.
Last 16 Zhang 0-0 Allen (0-0)
Thursday, January 18
- 1pm: Tom Ford 2-4 Gary Wilson
- 1pm: Zhou Yuelong 3-4 Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 2pm: Zhang Anda v Mark Allen
- 2pm: Noppon Saengkham v Ding Junhui
Quarter-finals
Thursday, January 18
- 7pm: Cao Yupeng v Mark Williams
- 7pm: Judd Trump v Mark Selby
Friday, January 19
- 1pm: Gary Wilson v Ronnie O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou (90-8)
Wonderful break to finish this match off under pressure. And Ronnie set to face Gary Wilson in the quarter-finals. 90 to finish from the Rocket. He wins 4-3. And his winning run continues in Leicester.
O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou (74-8)
O'Sullivan chasing a 141st quarter-final spot at a ranking event. Looks like O'Sullivan is heading through here. This has been an impeccable break.
O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou (35-8)
But he misses a red to left middle, and Ronnie has been handed a chance at close range to get his scoring boots on. In goes black, and he opens up the pack of reds too. What a chance then to get this frame won. Brilliant shot by O'Sullivan to keep the break going on blue. This looks ominous.
O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou (0-8)
Zhou breaks off for the final frame of this match. Early chance for O'Sullivan at a long red, but just off the potting angle. Zhou slams a long red into the heart of the pocket seconds later, and is on the black too. First chance to Zhou.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou (0-121)
Zhou with a closing break of 56 to go with the earlier 65, and this match will need a seventh frame. One more frame to play.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou (0-88)
Winner of this match will face Gary Wilson in the quarter-finals after the Scottish Open champion completed a 4-2 win over Tom Ford, who produced a 113 in the fifth frame before Wilson closed it out with a run of 68.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou (0-71)
Nothing too difficult in this break, but he has made this look simple. Eight reds and eight blacks. Reaches 65 before the break goes wrong. Not on the black. Just needing another red and colour. Manages to knock the black and red safe, and O'Sullivan then leaves the red to the right middle trying to get the balls out. So we are heading for a decider in this match. It will be 3-3.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou (0-40)
Looks very comfortable at close range as he bids to force this to a deciding frame. Five reds, five blacks. Looks well poised to get the job done in this frame here.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou (0-16)
O'Sullivan breaks off for the sixth frame. Can he see this one out to reach the quarter-finals? A real sprint these matches. Ronnie goes for a long red, but it doesn't drop and another chance for Zhou to get off the mark. Has been gifted a few easy opening chances in this match so far.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou (80-40)
Final red is quite safe as Zhou takes out red and pink before running safe towards baulk. Ronnie responds with a brilliant safety shot. Leaving white on top cushion and red tight on baulk cushion. Zhou tries to escape from the snooker, but he misses the red and leaves it. And O'Sullivan takes out the balls he needs for a 3-2 lead. Keeping cool after being frozen out. O'Sullivan needs one more frame to reach the quarter-finals.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou (50-33)
Well, Ronnie suddenly back in among the balls. Butchered a rest shot attempting to slot a red, but another red came to his rescue resting near white. Zhou fouls trying to run up to the red before overhitting the white. And leaves an easy opener. So chance for O'Sullivan to get a lead in this frame. A break of 46 with two reds left up.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou (4-33)
But this time he is out of position having made 25. Overscrews the red trying to land on black and he is forced to take his medicine. Ronnie picks out a great pot to yellow pocket only to see the white drop down the right centre pocket.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou (0-21)
Zhou breaks off for the fifth frame of a possible seven. O'Sullivan error in missing a fine clip on a red trying to run safe. White comes back down table and another easy starter for Zhou, who looks to be in the mood for another big break.
O'Sullivan 2-1 Zhou (0-102)
Ronnie has seen this all before, but must regroup with the first man to four frames reaching the last eight. Break of 102. Zhou asks about the highest break, but misses the penultimate red. 2-2 in this one. Shaun Murphy's 145 target remains safe at moment.
O'Sullivan 2-1 Zhou (0-62)
In goes pink to left centre as break moves over 60. Looks for all the world like this is going to be a century too. O'Sullivan was 2-0 and 50-0 ahead, but suddenly this match is heading level. One missed red proves key to this recovery.
O'Sullivan 2-1 Zhou (0-47)
Zhou negotiates path to 40 without too much stress. Not far from setting up a frame-winning chance. All reds and blacks at moment before he opts for a red to left centre. Lands on pink to continue the break.
O'Sullivan 2-1 Zhou (0-17)
Zhou forcing the safety error from O'Sullivan early in the fourth frame. Easy opener on red to right centre. And he lands on the black. So what will he produce here? Mood music of match has changed since that missed red by Ronnie on 50. Suddenly looking at the prospect of 2-2 here.
Wilson 3-0 Ford
A 75 break from Wilson in the third frame against Tom Ford sees him establish a 3-0 lead on the other main table.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Zhou (50-76)
A clearance of 76 from Zhou and he is back to 2-1 behind in the race to four. That was a very fine response from Zhou. O'Sullivan missed a fairly straightforward red and was punished for it.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Zhou (50-49)
Onto the final red with break reaching 45. Tricky red using spider, but he drops in the final red. Green to left centre looks key ball. And in it goes. Onto the colours then. Should be a steal for Zhou.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Zhou (50-31)
Fine shot by Zhou to develop the three reds. Great chance to win this frame from 50-0 down. No reds are safe.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Zhou (50-1)
O'Sullivan seeing the pots with no second guesses at the moment. Has a couple of stabs at opening up the pack of reds. And they are slowing coming apart. A real chance of a one-visit hit, but he misses a red into a top pocket on 50. A lifeline for Zhou. Didn't see that miss coming.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Zhou (20-0)
Another sublime long red by Ronnie to get moving again early in the third frame. Simply oozing confidence at the moment. The fans in Leicester are getting value for money this afternoon.
Wilson 2-0 Ford
Gary Wilson among the balls in the third frame. Winner of that one will meet the winner of this one in tomorrow afternoon's quarter-finals.
O'Sullivan 1-0 Zhou (107-27)
His 33rd century of the season. A blistering clearance of 107 and he is halfway to the last eight in the blink of an eye. Zhou heavily punished for failing to score among the balls.
O'Sullivan 1-0 Zhou (74-27)
All the reds are open and he clips a lovely red into the right centre. What an exhibition of potting this is. A real treat for the fans inside the Morningside Arena. So much confidence and fluency in his game. Break moves to 73. Going to be 2-0.
O'Sullivan 1-0 Zhou (47-27)
Well, this is stunning from O'Sullivan. Takes on a blistering long red that drops before carving a long blue into the green bag. Went all out for the pot and gets it. No thought of safety with a red hanging over a top pocket. Very positive potting plan from the snooker GOAT.
O'Sullivan 1-0 Zhou (0-27)
A knock of 27, but no more from Zhou as the white fails to open up the pack of reds off a black. Just a safety to follow.
O'Sullivan 1-0 Zhou (0-11)
Zhou first to the punch again in the second frame after Ronnie leaves a red over a top bag. Vital that he puts that first frame behind him. Not got time to dwell on it.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Zhou (68-55)
A magical clearance of 67 from O'Sullivan to take the first frame. What a clearance that is. The shot on the pink to develop one of the final two reds was on another a different planet. Zhou missed a pink to right centre, and pays a heavy price for a misplaced safety shot. Rocket Ronnie right on this here, right from the off.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Zhou (50-55)
O'Sullivan reducing the lead to 30 points before he drops in a superb cut on a red and then runs white off the pink around the table to develop another red. That is brilliant from O'Sullivan. Really is. And suddenly he is on the colours.
Wilson 1-0 Ford
A break of 121 gives the Scottish Open champion the first frame on the other main table.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Zhou (1-55)
But he misses a pink to the right centre off the spot. Well, that is unbelievable. First frame looked under lock and key. But O'Sullivan then misses a black off the spot. Far from an easy table to launch the counter attack with reds all welded to cushions.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Zhou (0-48)
Bright start by Zhou to the afternoon as he drops in a delightful plant to left middle to continue along his merry way. Still plenty of work to be done, but could have a healthy lead at the end of this contribution.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Zhou (0-16)
Bit of a cautious start to this match with both men happy to slug it out in the safety department before an error by O'Sullivan in hitting a blue enables Zhou to slot a nice red with the rest before running around the back of the black. In prime position on the black, so first chance of day falls to the young Chinese player.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Zhou (0-0)
A big crowd inside the Morningside Arena for this one. O'Sullivan has never lost to Zhou in their five previous meetings. Gary Wilson and Tom Ford on the other table this avo. O'Sullivan with a 6-5 win over Zhou in the UK Championship quarter-finals before Christmas. O'Sullivan chasing a spot in a 141st ranking event quarter-final. First man to seven frames wins this one. Quarter-finals is the best of nine.
13:00 – WHO IS PLAYING TODAY?
Last 16
Thursday, January 18
- 1pm: Tom Ford v Gary Wilson
- 1pm: Zhou Yuelong v Ronnie O'Sullivan
- 2pm: Zhang Anda v Mark Allen
- 2pm: Noppon Saengkham v Ding Junhui
Quarter-finals
Thursday, January 18
- 7pm: Cao Yupeng v Mark Williams
- 7pm: Judd Trump v Mark Selby
12:55 – STEPHEN HENDRY ON RONNIE O'SULLIVAN AND ALI CARTER'S BITTER SNOOKER BUST-UP – 'THERE IS BAD BLOOD THERE'
Stephen Hendry has offered his thoughts on the bad-natured bust-up between Essex rivals Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter at the Masters on Sunday. The duo exchanged verbal barbs after the 50th final of the elite invitational event as O'Sullivan recovered from trailing 6-3 to complete a 10-7 win and secure an eighth Masters title. "There is bad blood there, no doubt about it," commented Hendry.
‘What’s your problem?’ – Williams explains why Vafaei stormed off without shaking hands
There was drama aplenty during Mark Williams' World Grand Prix second-round match, as he was called for a seven-point penalty for hiding the cue ball in his pocket, before opponent Hossein Vafaei stormed off without shaking hands.
The incident happened during the fifth frame of his 4-1 victory.
The Welshman had been set a tough safety to escape from by his opponent, twice missing a thin cut on a red to the left of the pack.
He erroneously hit the pink on the second attempt, and as referee Olivier Marteel was replacing the balls, the 48-year old put the white in his pocket, much to the amusement of the crowd.
The Belgian official was less impressed. "You know that's a penalty seven," he said, leaving Williams chuckling in disbelief. "You touched the ball during a consultation period, it's in the rules."
"World Snooker say 'have a bit of fun, try and show your character' and stuff like that," a mystified Williams said afterwards.
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