Ronnie O’Sullivan shows true colours after ‘hiding’ in World Open fina | Other | Sport

Ronnie O’Sullivan praised World Open champion Thepchaiya Un-Nooh after a late collapse in Yushan saw the Rocket fall to a 10-7 defeat. The seven-time world champion had raced into a 4-0 lead, but lost the last six frames of the final as his Thai opponent overpowered him.

O’Sullivan was going in search of his first ranking title since January 2024, and a £175,000 cash prize, but became the latest big name to suffer defeat at the hands of Uh-Nooh. His only previous title came in the 2019 Shoot Out, but he won back-to-back against Judd Trump and O’Sullivan by producing the finest snooker of his career.

O’Sullivan even admitted he was given a “hiding” by the 41st seed and was full of kind words for his opponent, despite going agonisingly close to a first title win in over two years.

“I just want to say well done to Thepchaiya who played unbelievable snooker,” O’Sullivan said shortly after the match.

“I watched him play against Judd Trump last night and he made the number one player in the world look second best. I was hoping he wouldn’t play like that today but he did – he gave me a good hiding, really.”

Un-Nooh said: “I just wanted to try my best because I didn’t know when I might be in another final again.”

O’Sullivan had started with a bang, racking up four frames as he went in search of a 42nd ranking title. But that time of looking back to his best was short-lived as Un-Nooh made five half-centuries en route to a thumping comeback.

“It’s the best achievement in my career to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final with a 147,” Un-Nooh added.

“My dream came true to win the title. I feel really great, really great with my performance, especially to make a 147 and I’m just proud of myself.”

Having not gone past the last 16 in any other tournament this season, Un-Nooh was forced to wash his underwear in the sink as he progressed further than expected and running out of pants.

“Before I came here I didn’t think I would go as far as the final,” he admitted. “I will have to wear them inside out for tomorrow when I go back to Thailand. “Yeah, it’s really funny. I brought seven pants. Next time I’m going to bring ten!”