HAUNTED-LOOKING Ronnie O’Sullivan lost EIGHT frames in a row to brilliant Zhao Xintong in session two of their Snooker World Championship semi-final.
This was just the FOURTH time in Crucible history that the Rocket lost all of the eight frames in a single session at the sport’s highest level.
Xintong, 28, was level at 4-4 after the opening session on Thursday but then scored breaks of 57, 112, 82, 57, 67, 115, 69 and 87.
O’Sullivan, 49, spent far more time in his chair than he would have ever imagined and he looked dishevelled and tortured by the hammering he was receiving.
Though, in fairness, he did shake Xintong’s hand magnanimously as they both returned to their dressing room and respective digs.
The amateur star finished up 12-4 ahead and only needs five more frames this evening to move into a maiden world final – something Xintong could achieve later on Friday evening.
Between frames 10 and 15, the Rocket potted only 49 points and when he did return to the table he was missing routine balls.
Xintong's eight-frame burst took a total of 82 minutes of playing time -- the quickest frame was seven minutes, the longest was 13 minutes
The display shocked fans, with one saying: "O'Sullivan is just getting bullied today, this doesn't even look remotely close."
Another added: "I think this is it. The changing of the guard."
O’Sullivan, the seven-time world champion, changed his tip after the quarter-final win over Si Jiahui and did so again before the semi-final and clearly the equipment is letting him down.
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In 1994, O’Sullivan lost eight frames in one session to John Parrott, the 1991 world champion, as he went down 13-3.
In 1998, he lost all eight frames to John Higgins in a 17-9 loss and then the same thing happened when he was crushed by Graeme Dott in the 2006 semi-finals.
That was the last time he had exited the Worlds in the last four, winning the last six semi-finals he had contested.
O’Sullivan did lose seven on the spin to Luca Brecel two years ago and that was the moment he thought he really needed to examine his technique, claiming it was down to “bad” coaching advice.
WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action!
There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round after a stunning performance from Lei Peifan.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is eyeing a record EIGHTH World Snooker Championship crown, while World No 1 Judd Trump remains the tournament favourite.
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