​Ronnie O’Sullivan stopped in the 1/8 finals of the World Open snooker tournament, the leader of the world ranking dramatically defeated Hossein Vafai (21st place) with a score of 5-4.

>> VIDEO Snooker: World champion, sharp defeat in the second round at the World Open

Ronnie O’Sullivan defeated in the deciding frame by Hossein Wafai in the round of 16 of the World Open

Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan was always one step behind his opponent in this match (Vafai led 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3 and won 5-4).

In the deciding frame, Ronnie returned to the table after breaking the Iranian to 37 points, but lost position on the last red ball (after a break of 62 points) and was forced to play it safe.

The Rocket eventually put in the red ball, but missed the black ball (match ball) and gave Hossain a chance to end the duel, the final score 64-63.

In early 2023, Vafai said O’Sullivan had better retire from snooker. Criticized several times by the Iranian, Ronnie responded with a hug, while Hossain moved on to the Englishman with better feelings.

Hossein Wafaei will face the winner of China’s Ding Junhu (9th in the world) and England’s Sean Murphy (6th) in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

World Open, 1/8 finals

Judd Trump (2) – David Lilly (70) 5-3

Kyren Wilson (11) v Ben Woollaston (60) 5-4

Barry Hawkins (18) – Stephen Maguire (31) 5-1

Hossein Wafai (21) v Ronnie O’Sullivan (1) 5-4

• They also take place on Thursday:

Elliot Slessor (42) – Daniel Wells

Mark Selby (5) – Jackson Page (52)

Ding Junhui (9) – Sean Murphy (6)

Neil Robertson (15) – Chris Wakelin (22)

>> Snooker: The third player in the world to unexpectedly exit in the first round of the World Open

World Open 2024 will be held from March 18 to 24 in Yushan Sport Center (China). The tournament has a total prize pool of £815,000 and the reigning champion is Judd Trump (2019).

A semi-final appearance is rewarded with £32,500, with the finalist receiving £73,000 and the grand champion £170,000.