Ronnie O’Sullivan falls victim to 19-year first in Crucible shocker as semi-final defeat confirmed
Ronnie O'Sullivan's bid for a record eighth World Snooker Championship title is over after defeat against Zhao Xintong.
The 49-year-old lost all eight frames in the second session of his semi-final against Zhao to trail 12-4 heading into Friday evening.
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O'Sullivan, who has won a joint-record seven world titles alongside Stephen Hendry, went into the morning's session level at 4-4.
But an incredible display from Zhao to win 17-7 has ended his hopes of making another appearance in the final at the Crucible.
Following Thursday's session, O'Sullivan made the brave choice to have the tip and ferrule on his cue changed overnight.
It comes after 'Rocket' had labelled it as 'awful' ahead of his last-four encounter with Zhao.
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He said earlier this week: "I had work done on my cue. The cue feels awful. I am playing awful. I need a new ferrule. I miss the buzz of playing well."
Before adding: "I’m like a swan on the top but flapping legs at the bottom. I am playing with zero confidence. I have to grind it out.”
And having made altercations mid-match, the decision ultimately backfired after he was whitewashed.
It was just the fourth time in O'Sullivan's career that he lost each of his eight frames in a single World Championship session.
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Meanwhile, it's the first time O'Sullivan has lost all eight frames in a Crucible session since losing to Graeme Dott in the 2006 semi-finals.
Qualifier Zhao, who had never gone beyond the last 16 at the Crucible before this year, expertly capitalised on his opponents struggles.
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Speaking on BBC commentary, former UK Championship winner John Virgo said of Zhao: "Scintillating snooker.
"What a player. What a future he’s got in the game. To do this to Ronnie O’Sullivan, it’s a phenomenal performance.
"Changing of the guard maybe, right here, right now.”
Zhao could become the first ever Asian World Championship winner and first amateur to conquer the Crucible.
He won with one session to spare, which is only the second time that O'Sullivan has been beaten this way at the Crucible and first since 1994.
Awaiting him in the final will be either Mark Williams or Judd Trump, who are level at 8-8 heading into Saturday.
Ronnie O'Sullivan left stony-faced as semi-final clash descends into farce
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