Champion of Champions Snooker 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Ronnie O’Sullivan CRASHES OUT after letting 3-0 lead slip – updates

Selby 2-1 Murphy (18-19)

Selby produced his second poor shot in a row to miss the inviting red that Murphy left for him.

And Murphy returned to start building what could be a frame-turning break.

A bold red to the middle pocket put him into the lead.

Selby 2-1 Murphy (18-12)

Selby smacked in a power pot to underline his purple patch as he went 18-0 up in this fourth frame.

But he surprisingly failed to get out of a snooker when he had a half-pack of reds to aim at.

Murphy promptly picked off the only red NOT in that pack.

He then slammed home the black to open up those reds.

But Murphy could only make a break of 12 as he missed a tricky long red at the baulk end.

Ronnie's verdict on retirement

Ronnie O'Sullivan gave fewer clues than usual on his future after his shock 4-3 loss to Xiao Guodong.

The Rocket was awesome in winning the first three frames before his Chinese opponent roared back to win.

O'Sullivan has often berated his form this year.

This time the 48-year-old said: "I have been on a roll for 30 years.

"It will end when I decide it ends. I’ve very rarely had an average season since turning pro."

MARK TON DOES IT! Selby 2-1 Murphy (132-0)

Selby's scintillating 132 clearance put him in front in this match of contrasting frames.

Selby 1-1 Murphy (114-0)

Selby won't have produced many more fluent frames of brilliance than this - ever.

And he's made it to a century break - the 847th of his career.

Selby 1-1 Murphy (79-0)

What a contrast to the 55-minute second frame!

Selby's produced some vintage shots in a half-ton break, noticeably the deftest of cut blacks.

And he cruised into his 70s with another sharp pot.

Selby 1-1 Murphy (34-0)

An outstanding red to the middle pocket - screwing the cue ball back perfectly towards the pack - has left Selby scenting a useful break.

He's into the 30s and on the black.

Selby 1-1 Murphy (4-0)

Selby is in early in the third frame.

WE'RE LEVEL! Selby 1-1 Murphy (51-38)

After potting the brown, Murphy had to use the rest for the blue.

And when he missed that pot, Selby stepped in to snooker him.

Murphy got out of it - but left Selby with another chance of securing the frame.

A brilliant cut blue put him in control.

And the pink gave him the frame to level the match.

Selby 0-1 Murphy (46-38)

Selby could only notch a break of 10 - missing the brown poorly.

Now it's Murphy who is in with chance to seal the frame.

Selby 0-1 Murphy (41-34)

This frame is already a marathon - at more than 45 minutes long.

Selby always appears ultra patient and comfortable in these situations - where caution dominates.

And for a while Murphy matched him, safety shot for safety shot.

But he eventually took on a long red - the final one on the table - and saw it fall kindly for Selby.

He potted it - but still has much to do.

Fans hail 'greatest ever' match

Xiao Guodong's epic 4-3 comeback win over Ronnie O'Sullivan has left snooker lovers raving.

One viewer rated it the "greatest ever best of 7 match!"

Another posted: "Wow, I didn't see that coming at 3 nil, played well."

And a third said of the Wuhan Open winner's turnaround triumph: "That was some comeback, he was brilliant those last 4 frames."

Selby 0-1 Murphy (36-33)

Selby's break of 15 from 33-17 down put him just a point behind.

And when he finished it by opting for safety it left Murphy with a challenging long safety shot.

He got out of it comfortably enough - but then gave away a foul as Selby edged ahead in this second frame.

Selby 0-1 Murphy (31-33)

Selby expertly got out of a snooker.

But Murphy clawed his way in front with a decent break helped by a superb pot with the rest.

Selby, however, has just produced something almost as good with the same piece of equipment.

And that red was followed by powering home a black that puts him in a strong position of building something useful.

Selby 0-1 Murphy (16-33)

Cagey, cagey stuff from both men - and plenty of unforced errors.

The battle of the safety shots goes on for what feels like an age before a costly Murphy mistake.

Selby takes advantage to nudge in front but it is still a low-scoring frame with neither man able to find much rhythm.

A wonderful snooker from Murphy... but Selby is equal to it - although Murphy is edging his opponent in terms of safety success.

And he is enjoying himself on the rest, too.

We hit the half-hour mark and six reds remain on the table. Selby 16-33 Murphy.

Hendry got it so Ron

Stephen Hendry's claim that Ronnie O'Sullivan would be inspired by a return to the big stage eventually proved so wrong

Xia Guodong's astonishing comeback from 3-0 down - with no points - to snatch a 4-3 victory - has few similarities in terms of shocks.

Henry had told ITV4 beforehand: "It’s the fact it’s one table, all the attention is on you, we always have great crowds here, that’s what the big players love.

"Inspiration, venues to inspire the and make them play their best.

It’s one of the reasons the likes of Ronnie has done so well here. It’s perfect for him.

"This is the kind of tournament he loves... It’s perfect for him. That’s why he has such a good record in this event."

Selby 0-1 Murphy (16-14)

These two legs are going through a spell of safety early in this second frame.

Selby declined to go for a half-inviting blue.

And Murphy responded with a brilliant snooker.

Selby 0-1 Murphy

A typical exchange of early snookers to kick things off between these two serial winners in this their 47th professional meeting.

Murphy has a simple pink which he very nearly misses - maybe that will wake him up a little.

Another couple of unconvincing pots but he has put together a fine break, here.

And suddenly he is approaching the ton.

He moves to 97-0 - break of 96 - with the black and has an awkward red which just kisses the cushion and stays out.

Murphy doesn't get the century break but does claim the opening frame.

Selby vs Murphy

With the first winner in Group Four sorted, it is now time to see who Xiao will play in this evening's group final.

So, time for Mark Selby to take on Shaun Murphy in their best-of-seven showdown.

Here we go...

Rob's Rocket Report

Here's what our snooker reporter Rob Maul had to say on O'Sullivan's exit...

Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered one of his biggest collapses in recent memory as he bombed out in Bolton.

The Rocket, 48, was in his free-flowing best as he raced into a 3-0 lead against Xiao Guodong – thanks to breaks of 95 and 125 – on day four of the Champion of Champions.

But then the Chinese star won the next three frames with breaks of 130, 88 and 85 as the seven-time world champion could only rack in seven points.

In a nervy final-frame decider, Guodong missed a red to the middle pocket, which was essentially match ball.

It did not prove decisive because after a brief safety exchange, he managed to get over the line for a famous victory.

O’Sullivan is a four-time winner of this tournament but it means he will head to the UK Championship – where he is the defending champion – in poor form.

Time for a breather

Well, well, well.

That was entertaining, wasn't it?

A thrilling comeback from Xiao to dump four-time champ O'Sullivan out.

O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao

O'Sullivan pots a red and black to move 29 behind.

Now he tries a snooker on the green up behind the pink but Xiao is equal to it.

25 remaining. O'Sullivan 29 behind. Needs the snooker which he cannot find.

O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao

Xiao misses the pink and nearly pots the cue ball in the process!

It is still in the Chinese player's favour with the scoreline at 64-25, but he does suddenly look very nervy.