Ronnie O’Sullivan Shocked in Nanjing: Pang Junxu Upsets Legend with Spectacular Breaks

In a stunning upset at the International Championship in Nanjing, Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world champion, suffered a 6-4 defeat in the third round at the hands of Pang Junxu. The match was tightly contested early on, tied at 2-2, before Pang surged ahead with breaks of 85 and 73, taking a commanding 4-2 lead. O’Sullivan rallied valiantly to level the score at 4-4, showcasing his renowned resilience.

However, Pang responded emphatically with consecutive breaks of 120 and 123, sealing his victory over the legendary O’Sullivan.

Looking ahead, Pang Junxu will meet Wales’ Jackson Page in the last 16, who secured his spot with a 6-4 triumph over Ali Carter. Meanwhile, other notable results from the tournament included John Higgins’ dominant 6-1 win over Matthew Stevens, and Judd Trump’s 6-4 victory against Joe O’Connor.

Shaun Murphy’s campaign came to an end with a 6-3 loss to Chris Wakelin, who impressed with breaks of 116, 102, 85, and 63. Another major upset saw former world number one Mark Allen ousted 6-2 by China’s Xiao Guodong. Xu Si delighted the home crowd with a magnificent 147 break, only the second of his career, en route to a 6-2 triumph over Ryan Day from Wales.

World champion Kyren Wilson progressed with a hard-fought 6-4 win over Wu Yize, while Barry Hawkins produced a commanding performance, defeating Neil Robertson 6-1. The tournament in Nanjing continues to deliver thrilling matches and surprising outcomes, showcasing the depth and talent within the world of professional snooker.