Ronnie O'Sullivan has crashed out of the China Open in Beijing, the 18th ranking event before the World Championships next month.
O'Sullivan, 41, a twice winner of the event crashed out in a final frame decider to Mark Joyce, who lands a last 16 clash with China's number one Ding Junhui - who was kicked out of the top 16 this time last season. Joyce competed in fine fettle with the Rocket and even made a cool 137 after O'Sullivan had made a century in a previous frame. It was neck and neck until Joyce pinched the decider 5 - 4.
The China Open is the last we will see of the Rocket potentially until the Crucible when he plays as one of the top 16 players who will know their fate when announced after the China Open ends at the end of this week end.
Judd Trump was on scooting form in his last 32 match and rolled out a 5 - 0 win against Eden Sharav, - Trump of course another of five players to have won this event twice.
They include:
1) Ding Junhui - 2005 - 2014
2) Mark Williams - 2002 - 2006
3) Peter Ebdon - 2009 - 2012
4) Ronnie O'Sullivan 1999 - 2000
The winner of this year's event picks up a hefty £85,000 for the first prize with the runner-up pocketing £35,000. China's Zhang Anda currently has the high break of 140, but the tournament high breaker will pocket £2,000. Last year's China Open saw Stuart Bingham get a 143 in the action. There's been two maximums made in this event, with Scot Stephen Maguire and Neil Robertson both potting a 147 in the events in 2008 and 2010.
Crucible race heating up
Joe Perry's early exit from the tournament, and, also, the likes of Mark King, Martin Gould, mean that Ryan Day's spot is safe for now, while Mark Williams and a couple of others have a mountain still in hope of qualifying outright for the Crucible. At least seven members of the top 16 are left in the remaining the two-year ranking list. He plays Ruhr Open winner of the 2015/16 season Rory McLeod. Williams leads the Welsh - with Michael White and Daniel Wells following the line for the last 16.
