JUST IN: Ronnie O’Sullivan Hospitalised After Stuart Bingham Blow

JUST IN: Ronnie O’Sullivan Hospitalised After Stuart Bingham Blow

Stuart Bingham delivered a stunning blow to Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bid for an eighth World Snooker Championship title, eliminating him from the quarter-finals.

The battle between the two titans began with an even score of 8-8 heading into the final session, maintaining the intense competition.

However, Bingham seized control after the mid-session break, claiming three consecutive frames to secure a 13-10 victory over O’Sullivan.

This sets up a semi-final clash between Bingham and qualifier Jak Jones, who earlier ousted Judd Trump in a surprising upset.

Reflecting on his defeat, O’Sullivan acknowledged Bingham’s exceptional performance, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the game regardless of wins or losses.

Despite his efforts to fight back, O’Sullivan accepted the outcome graciously, acknowledging Bingham’s deserving victory.

The quarter-finals also witnessed another upset as qualifier David Gilbert defeated Stephen Maguire 13-8, marking the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1977 that three qualifiers have advanced to the semi-finals.

In the other semi-final matchup, Kyren Wilson emerged victorious over four-time world champion John Higgins with a score of 13-8.

Wilson remains the only seeded player in contention following Higgins’ defeat.

Bingham, who is through to the semi-finals for the third time in his career, expressed his joy and excitement after defeating O’Sullivan, highlighting the thrill of competing against the legendary player on such a prestigious stage.

However, O’Sullivan’s quarter-final match was not without controversy, as he found himself embroiled in a dispute with referee Desislava Bozhilova during the second session.

Despite initially being praised for his sportsmanship in questioning a potential error in ball placement, O’Sullivan later suggested that some referees may harbor bias against him.

Bozhilova, who has been a professional referee for 12 years, received support from the World Snooker Tour, which refuted O’Sullivan’s claims and affirmed her correct handling of the situation.

As the tournament progresses, the excitement and drama at The Crucible Theatre continue to captivate snooker enthusiasts worldwide, with unexpected twists and thrilling performances shaping the quest for the coveted championship title.