2024 English Open Snooker: He Guoqiang eliminates Ronnie O'Sullivan in Brentwood

Seven-time World Champion O’Sullivan is yet to reach a final this season, although he has had solid results with semi-finals runs at the Shanghai Masters and Xi’an Grand Prix before a last eight finish at the recent Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.

The 48-year-old insisted on playing the majority of his shots against He during the first half of their match left-handed. Whilst O’Sullivan declared a few weeks ago he will be doing this more often because it makes him happy, he does not possess the same finesse and accuracy left-handed compared to his primary right-hand, and during the early stages this evening, he paid the price.

Whilst on a break of 45 in the opening frame, O’Sullivan unexpectedly missed a red when near the finish line, and He later nabbed it to go in front.

He - last season’s Rookie of the Year - then made breaks of 78 and 77 in the next two frames respectively to move 3-0 ahead and one away from victory.

Facing the prospect of a whitewash defeat, though, O’Sullivan began to mount a comeback. Now playing with his regular right-hand more frequently, the 41-time ranking event winner took the next two frames with the aid of runs of 56 and 59 respectively to get on the board and threaten a big turnaround.

However, He was not to be denied one of the biggest wins of his career as an effort of 50 in frame six got him through to the last 32 and a date with Stephen Maguire.

He is now two from two against O’Sullivan, having defeated him 3-0 in the Championship League earlier this 2024/25 campaign.

Elsewhere on Tuesday in Essex, Mark Allen had to win the final two frames on the main TV table to oust Long Zehuang, 4-3.

Several contents went to deciding frames, including both matches in the morning session. Reigning Scottish and Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson made breaks of 97, 57, 91 and 123 in his contest with Ross Muir, but world number 81 Muir caused an upset as he squeezed through, 4-3.

Hossein Vafaei and Matthew Stevens were also involved in an entertaining and dramatic affair on the other table during the opening session.

Iran's Vafaei made breaks of 106 and 105 in back-to-back frames to go 2-0 up, but he missed frame ball blue in frame three when on a counter-attack after Stevens had earlier broke down on 56. Stevens sank the remaining three balls to get on the scoreboard.

Vafaei quickly overcame that disappointment with a 98 in frame four, but former UK and Masters champion Stevens responded with a 137 before forcing the tie all the way. However, former Shoot Out winner Vafaei reached his target in the next.

Top 16 star Tom Ford was eliminated 4-2 by Jiang Jun. World number 76 Jiang was very impressive as he registered runs of 127 and 104 in successive frames before totting up further efforts of 65 and 76, later on. Jiang has now posted four centuries in three matches in Brentwood, including a 141 during his round two victory.

Matthew Selt set up a round four date with World Number One Judd Trump after pipping Ricky Walden, 4-3, along with breaks of 107 and 110 (in back-to-back frames) and an 81 in the decider.

Mark Williams exits, but John Higgins through

His first competitive outing since narrowly missing out on the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters title, Mark Williams was defeated by Ben Woollaston, 4-1.

Williams - who was using a new cue - went 3-0 behind before opening his account with frame four. However, Woollaston - aided by a run of 70 - got the verdict in the next frame to set up a meeting with local cueist Zak Surety on Wednesday.

With O’Sullivan and Williams both out, John Higgins is the only ‘Class of 92’ member in the round four draw following a 4-1 win against Andrew Higginson. The four-time World Champion - who is clinging on to his place in the world’s top 16 rankings - top scored with a 97.

Barry Hawkins constructed exactly 100 as he recovered from 2-0 down to see off the in-form Jimmy Robertson, 4-2, while Neil Robertson totted up contributions of 72 and two 60s before wrapping up a 4-1 victory over Jackson Page with a 104.

Robertson sets up a very tasty last 32 fixture with fellow Career Triple Crown winner, Shaun Murphy.

Like the two-match morning session, the late night session also produced deciding frames for its two contests.

Jack Lisowski went 2-0 up in his fixture but Xi Su levelled following breaks of 114 and 100. Lisowski went back in front and one away from advancing at 3-2, but Xu took it to a seventh frame where he compiled a decisive 76.

The final match of the round to finish came to a post-midnight conclusion with 2023 World Champion Luca Brecel getting his first match victory in a ranking event in nearly six months.

Brecel won three consecutive frames after going 2-0 down to the very experienced Anthony Hamilton, although the former German Masters champion kept his hopes alive by claiming frame six on the colours.

A very scrappy, gruelling, but compelling deciding frame ensued with Brecel potting some brilliant balls towards the end to chalk up his first ranking event win since the World Open in March.

Lyu Haotian, Stephen Maguire, Anthony McGill and Jamie Jones were also winners during the day’s action. McGill fashioned a 140 during his 4-2 success over Xiao Guodong, while Jones whitewashed Zhou Yuelong, 4-0.

For full details on the 2024 English Open including the draw, results, prize money, schedule and how to watch, please visit our tournament information centre here.