UK Championship snooker live: Ronnie O’Sullivan suffers shock defeat to Zhou Yuelong

So, just two matches left in the last 32 and then we’ll know the full last-16 line-up.

A couple of intriguing clashes this evening in York as 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson faces rising talent Elliot Slessor and last year’s finalist Barry Hawkins is also in action

Tuesday 2 December

Last 32

19:00

Kyren Wilson v Elliot Slessor

Barry Hawkins v David Lilley

Eighth time lucky for Zhou Yuelong - beating Ronnie O’Sullivan after seven straight defeats to him.

And the Chinese cueman was understandably pleased after getting over the line.

“I’m happy because it’s the first time in my career I've beaten Ronnie,” Zhou told BBC Two. “I’ve played him lots of times but never won.

“I was nervous to play but then I was calm, had some great safety and scored well.

“I can't believe it. I practise that shot every day [the final green]. Two years before I lost in a decider in the quarter-final to Ronnie. When I made a mess of the yellow, I prepared for a decider but I got lucky that he snookered himself.

“The shot on the black with a big kick he looked like he was going to win the frame but it turned around. Everyone knows if you keep working hard you can win big trophies.”

A brief interview with Ronnie O’Sullivan after his defeat and he wasn’t pleased with his performance today.

“He played better than me,” said O’Sullivan. “I didn't give him much of a fight and I made too many bad mistakes.”

“Defeat is defeat. I just accept it's part of beinga professional sportsman.

“I’ll have a nice Christmas, enjoy that and see how I feel come January.”

Well, it wasn’t to be for Ronnie O’Sullivan today. He didn’t play badly but Zhou Yuelong made one superb century then held his nerve to pinch five other frames with clearances of various sizes. Superb composure from the Chinese star.

The Rocket’s quest to win a ninth UK title will have to wait for another year though.

HE’S DONE IT! ZHOU YUELONG CLEARS THE REMAINING COLOURS AND BEATS RONNIE O’SULLIVAN 6-4.

In seven previous meetings between the pair, O’Sullivan had won all seven but Zhou finally triumphs! A superb performance and a fully-deserved win.

The eight-time UK champion is out! Zhou goes through to face Mark Selby in the last 16. What a result.

Zhou can’t see the potting angle of the yellow so has to play safe but that is dismal! He’s stuck the yellow up for O’Sullivan. Awful shot.

But that’s equally poor from Ronnie. Pits the yellow and snookers himself on the green. What is going on here?!

58-46 to O’Sullivan but Zhou has a look at a long pot on the green. CLASS! He’s nailed it. Can he clear up for the victory?

O’Sullivan catches and passes Zhou’s score with one red left on the table. All their colours are on their spots and this should be it.

But he flicks the brown ball when playing from the final blue to yellow! That runs him out of position and he misses the thin cut pot! O’Sullivan leads 56-46 with just the colours left but he hasn’t killed this off.

The reds are all there in the middle of the table for O’Sullivan, bar one towards the right cushion.

And he decides to take the difficult red when on 19. IT’S THERE! Heart of the pocket. Both players have a missed a few to the tight corners today but that was never anywhere but in.

This is a golden chance to force a decider now

Good pot on the pink but Zhou has to bring the white all around the angles. He’s only left with a potential two-red plant to keep the break going...

AND HE MISSES! It drifts wide and the red has stayed over the pocket. Zhou leads 46-0 but O’Sullivan comes back to the table and can counter here. He’s clinging on.

Zhou breaks down on 13 initially but gets back in, in what he hopes will be the final frame.

Big applause as he lances a mid-range red into the heart of the pocket to keep the break going. His lead has reached 40 points...