Champion of Champions Snooker 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Ronnie O’Sullivan CRASHES OUT after letting 3-0 lead slip – updates
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has crashed out of the Champion of Champions tournament!
Xiao Guodong completed a stunning comeback from 3-0 to beat Rocket 4-3 in the last-16.
World No1 Judd Trump was also eliminated from the tournament at the last-8 stage following a 6-4 defeat to Neil Robertson.
- Start time: From 1pm GMT
- TV channel: ITV4
- Live stream: ITVX
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O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao
O'Sullivan makes a break of 24 to take him within 33 points of Xiao with one red and the colours remaining.
He was unlikely on the placement of the black and now Ronnie has missed the red.
Xiao leads by more than is left on the table so O'Sullivan needs one snooker.
O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao
MORE DRAMA!! Would you believe it?!
Xiao just needs one red to go beyond what is left on the table and effectively win the match... but he misses it!
Wow, we have seen it all here this afternoon.
O'Sullivan sinks a couple of tough reds but the table is not set up for him to make a clearance from here. He is going to have to produce something special.
O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao
DRAMA!
Ronnie lands a long red - his first point since the third frame - and the Bolton crowd goes wild.
A nice kiss on the green... but then O'Sullivan misses it!
That could well be the match right there.
O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao
O'Sullivan looks to be on the brink of losing having been 3-0 ahead as Xiao moves onto 35.
But hang on! A loose shot on one of the free reds and Xiao has to be a safety shot to get himself out of trouble.
A lifeline for O'Sullivan who now needs to be flawless in order to win the match.
O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao
The crowd are very excited as Xiao prepares to get the seventh and deciding frame underway.
Can O'Sullivan fight back from this onslaught and get over the line in this first-round clash?
He immediately goes for a long red but misses and Xiao is in again.
O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao
Interestingly, O'Sullivan has opted to play a few balls at the end of this fifth frame despite having lost it.
He wants to get a feel for the table having been shut out for the best part of an hour.
But he quickly misses a routine red. Signs of nerves and rustiness from O'Sullivan?
O’Sullivan 3-3 Xiao
Well this really has come out of nowhere.
O'Sullivan won the first three frames without letting Xiao score a single point.
Now Xiao has done EXACTLY the same to O'Sullivan for the next three frames - ending the latest one with a break of 85.
We go to a decider and all of the momentum is with Xiao as he eyes a comeback victory over the four-time Champion of Champions winner.
O’Sullivan 3-2 Xiao
Something of a fortunate break on a red sees Xiao apologise to O'Sullivan before he gets back down to business.
O'Sullivan looks thoroughly bemused - he hasn't scored since winning the third frame.
Xiao up to a break of 41 and closing in on sending this to a decider.
Who'd have thought it half an hour ago?
O’Sullivan 3-2 Xiao
How about this for a turnaround?!
Xiao with the best shot of the match, a long red all the way down the table and into the bottom right corner pocket.
It's a tricky table to make a big break from given most of the reds are still in the pack... but Xiao's confidence is flowing and you would not doubt him from here.
O’Sullivan 3-2 Xiao
Xiao with superb back-to-back frames here and all of a sudden this match has come to life.
The Chinese player never looks like missing on his way to a break of 88.
Xiao now within one and O'Sullivan appears a little more uncomfortable in his seat.
O’Sullivan 3-1 Xiao
Another sloppy shot from Ronnie allows Xiao a half-chance.
And now, unlike in the opening three frames, he is taking those opportunities.
Xiao rattles off a few pots and suddenly 3-2 looks very likely.
O’Sullivan 3-1 Xiao
O'Sullivan gives Xiao a chance with a poor safety shot but the underdog fails to capitalise as he pots a red and fails to get onto a colour.
Just the two points scored by Xiao so far in this frame. O'Sullivan yet to get off the mark.
O’Sullivan 3-1 Xiao
Has that break of 130 brought Xiao to life? It certainly looks so as he drills an inch-perfect red into the bottom right corner.
But it's almost as if he's hit through the ball too well and can only play a safety behind the yellow.
O'Sullivan returns with an impressive safety of his own and this now, you would imagine, is a crucial exchange in the match.
O’Sullivan 3-1 Xiao
If Xiao wins this next frame, suddenly the momentum changes drastically.
O'Sullivan will know it is important to win this best-of-seven match as soon as possible.
O’Sullivan 3-1 Xiao
That is some response from Xiao as he rattles off a century break to claim one frame back.
Having not potted a single ball in any of the first three frames, he pulls off arguably the break of the match to move within two of O'Sullivan.
He completely clears the table with 130. Brilliant.
O’Sullivan 3-0 Xiao
Not great safety from Ronnie and Xiao is immediately back in - this time with a chance of a substantial break.
Positioning of the cue ball is impressive from the Chinese talent as he builds towards winning the frame.
Into the 40s now and within a few pots of keeping this match alive.
O’Sullivan 3-0 Xiao
Xiao pots! And it's a brilliant long red too into the bottom left pocket.
The cue ball rolls all the way back up to the top cushion so it's only a break of one - but it's more than he has managed so far in this match.
Can he build on his best shot of the match or will that be the sole highlight from a tough afternoon?
O’Sullivan 3-0 Xiao
So Xiao has to win this frame to stay in the match.
To do that, he also needs to score a point - something he is yet to do so far this afternoon.
Cagey opening as the pair trade safety shot,s much like the beginning of the second frame.
O’Sullivan 3-0 Xiao
O'Sullivan knocks two fine reds in to keep his pursuit of a century on course.
And there it is! In no time at all The Rocket makes the three-figure break.
He finishes with 125 and leaves the black on the table for good measure.
Xiao still yet to score a point. 3-0.
O’Sullivan 2-0 Xiao
O'Sullivan makes 44 before cannoning into the pack of reds which don't come apart quite how he would have liked.
He continues nevertheless and moves onto 53 before giving it another go.
Breaks off a couple more of the pack which he picks off with ease and the frame is in the bag.
Can he now go one better than the previous frame and make a century?
O’Sullivan 2-0 Xiao
Xiao may have only had a couple of half-chances but he already finds himself 2-0 down without having potted a ball.
And he won't want to see that as O'Sullivan pots a brilliant long red.
He is in the mood to please this Bolton crowd this afternoon.
O’Sullivan 2-0 Xiao
O'Sullivan may have had to be patient for about 15 minutes there but he is in cruise control now.
An accomplished break of 95 - narrowly missing out on his first century of the tournament.
But it won't matter much for The Rocket who is already halfway to victory.
O’Sullivan 1-0 Xiao
Xiao with the first opening of a pot into the bottom left corner but it rattles out of the jaws.
Leaves a fine red open for O'Sullivan who takes the invitation and finally the scoreboard ticks by.
O'Sullivan will be hoping to close out the frame at this visit now.
O’Sullivan 1-0 Xiao
A quarter of an hour into this second frame and still no points on the board.
O'Sullivan won the opener in less time.
O’Sullivan 1-0 Xiao
It's a very open table with the reds spread across from up by the blue to both of the bottom cushions - yet neither man is leaving anything on.
It is going to take a mistake from one of them to open this frame up for a break.