Ronnie O'Sullivan knocked out of China Open after making maximum 147

Last updated on .From the section Snookercomments93

Ronnie O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan's previous 147 break came at the 2014 UK Championship

Five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was knocked out in the first round of the China Open despite making a maximum 147 break.

O'Sullivan, 42, made the 147 in the fifth frame against fellow Englishman Elliot Slessor, who won 6-2 in Beijing.

O'Sullivan has one chance remaining to become the first player to win six ranking titles in a season.

He has won the English Open, Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, World Grand Prix and Players Championship.

However, it was the second time this season, after the Northern Ireland Open, that world number 73 Slessor has defeated O'Sullivan, who looked largely out of sorts in an error-strewn performance.

O'Sullivan, on 33 ranking titles overall, is level with Stephen Hendry, Ding Junhui and Mark Selby in winning five major titles in one campaign.

Elsewhere, defending champion and world number one Selby made it through with a 6-4 win over Scott Donaldson, China's Ding beat Craig Steadman 6-4, but former world champion Shaun Murphy suffered a shock 6-0 defeat by Chris Wakelin.

The China Open is the last event before the season-ending World Championship in Sheffield starts on 21 April.

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93 comments

  • Comment posted by Sali Kuthi, at 14:56 3 Apr 2018

    Even thought he has been knocked out here, just appreciate that Ronnie has competed and played breathtaking snooker in our lifetime. He's kept the sport afloat at the same time. We may never see anyone as close to his level again...

  • Comment posted by badtemperedcyril, at 16:31 3 Apr 2018

    BBC coverage of the China Open is pathetic. Based on prize money and the longer duration of the matches, the China Open can rightly claim to be the second biggest event of the season after the World Championship. Also, no mention of Selby's 16-red total clearance today. The first time any player has achieved such a feat on television since Steve James in the 1990 World Championship!

  • Comment posted by HMMurdoch, at 14:48 3 Apr 2018

    Ronnie O'Sullivan, he wins when he wants.

  • Comment posted by The Magician, at 14:49 3 Apr 2018

    Wow I have run out of words to praise Ronnie! Brilliant once again, snooker will not be the same again once he retires

  • Comment posted by sportsfan40s, at 15:39 3 Apr 2018

    I am probably one of the few lucky enough to have witnessed Joe Davis's 147 in 1955. It was an exhibition match and contrary to the 'tale' although he lost he had given his opponent, Darlington's great Willie Smith, a head start. It was the perfect break of pace, poise and power and on a table much more complicated than those today. Joe Davis will always be the greatest. I know. I saw him.

  • Comment posted by adamcurrie, at 15:00 3 Apr 2018

    Only Ronnie could make a 147 and get knocked out!

  • Comment posted by janusrolex, at 15:52 3 Apr 2018

    No one goes to China for the 2nd biggest prize money on tour, without the hope of winning it. Slessor beat him earlier in the season. Mark Davis had 2 147's in the same tournament. Even Ronnie hasn't done that!!!

  • Comment posted by GALAXY, at 00:42 4 Apr 2018

    Ronnies been beaten by Slessor opponents before....

  • Comment posted by Rob, at 15:22 3 Apr 2018

    @19 It was worth £42k as long as no one equals it. Worth turning up for, even if he didn't really turn up.

  • Comment posted by charlie, at 15:08 3 Apr 2018

    @16 the very first official recognised 147 break was by Joe Davis in a match he lost so sorry you are wrong

  • Comment posted by ohyes, at 14:51 3 Apr 2018

    Class is permanent

  • Comment posted by janusrolex, at 14:49 3 Apr 2018

    Clearly. Just got walloped lol

  • Comment posted by The Shodster, at 19:03 4 Apr 2018

    BBC only want to give all the attention to O'Sullivan, all there commentators are so far up his back-side you would think no one else plays the sport.

  • Comment posted by The Uncomfortable Truth, at 09:27 4 Apr 2018

    O'sullivan is an obnoxious individual who happens to be quite good at snooker. Some people are happy when he wins, the cockerney loudmouths especially, others are happy when he loses. His lack of respect to his fellow professionals is well documented and he thinks that is all about him. Always good to see him being humped.

  • Comment posted by scraybar_jack, at 22:57 3 Apr 2018

    Whether he says nonsense from time to time or not shouldn’t hide the fact that he is the most naturally gifted player ever to play the game - that’s why people love him

  • Comment posted by You, at 19:11 3 Apr 2018

    @39 badtemperedcyril

    Thanks for mentioning Selby's 16 red clearance. I didn't know about this. If only there was a snooker section on BBC sport....
    There's only a HYS coz Ronnie's out. Last one this week.

  • Comment posted by Truth be known, at 18:02 3 Apr 2018

    Thank God for that, means I can watch the rest without fear of 'Ronnie' being on. Have to watch it with the sound turned down though as he will inevitably be in the commentators box now.

  • Comment posted by Bobbyd, at 16:03 3 Apr 2018

    I suppose he'll be retiring again then....

  • Comment posted by AndyB_MOT, at 15:31 3 Apr 2018

    @16 Yes indeed "only Ronnie" could do that.

    You know, if we ignore the fact that Ding Junhui, Fergal O'Brien, Alfie Burden and Kyren Wilson have all done it in the last two years.

  • Comment posted by rapshank, at 15:00 3 Apr 2018

    Lets be fair, he probably lost to get home to put some hours in ready for the Crucible... Whacks in a 147 just to say "Hey numpties, this is what i can do when not bothered" [laughing/crying emoji face thing]

    Appreciate China is a global powerhouse, but this tournament isn't even close to the pinnacle of the sport - safe flight home Ronnie!

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