O'Sullivan falls to Cheung in NI Open
Ronnie O'Sullivan lost 4-3 to Ka Wai Cheung in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open.
Key facts
- O'Sullivan lost 4-3 to world‑ranked 110 player Ka Wai Cheung.
- Cheung earned his first main‑draw win at a ranking event.
- O'Sullivan had not played a UK tournament since April's World Championship.
- O'Sullivan was world number 13 and 50 years old.
- The match was played at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
O'Sullivan was defeated 4-3 by Ka Wai Cheung in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open, according to BBC Sport. Cheung won the opening frame and the deciding frame to secure the match. O'Sullivan had won the next three frames before Cheung made a comeback. The match took place at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
Cheung's victory was his first main‑draw win at a ranking event, according to BBC Sport. He compiled a break of 77 in the fifth frame and a break of 61 in the deciding frame. Cheung will face Stuart Bingham in the last 16. The win was Cheung's first main‑draw victory at a ranking event.
O'Sullivan had not played a tournament in the United Kingdom since the 13‑12 second‑round loss to John Higgins at the World Championship in April, according to BBC Sport. He was making his first appearance at a Home Nations event since the 2024 English Open. O'Sullivan was world number 13 and 50 years old at the time of the match.
Sky Sports described the defeat as one of O'Sullivan's most embarrassing defeats of his career.
Context
The Northern Ireland Open is a ranking snooker event held in Belfast. It is part of the Home Nations Series, which includes the English Open, Scottish Open, Welsh Open and Northern Ireland Open.
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