Ronnie O’Sullivan defeated by Cheung Ka Wai at Northern Ireland Open

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan suffered an early exit at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast, losing 4-3 in the opening round to world number 110 Cheung Ka Wai. Despite O’Sullivan building a 3-1 lead with notable breaks of 138 and 56, the Hong Kong player staged a comeback to secure his first career victory over a top-16 player in a ranking event.

This defeat follows a series of recent first-round exits for the 50-year-old, including losses at the Shenzhen Open and the World Championship. O’Sullivan has attributed his recent struggles to a personal “illness” regarding his technique, stating that his current method has left him without his usual strength or sense of direction on the table.