O'Sullivan & Trump lose in NI Open as big names continue to fall

Ronnie O'Sullivan's poor form continues as the seven-time world champion is beaten in a deciding frame by Ka Wai Cheung in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open.

O'Sullivan was playing in the NI Open for the first time since 2022

Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered a disappointing first-round exit at the Northern Ireland Open as he lost the final three frames to lose 4-3 to world-ranked 110 player Ka Wai Cheung in Belfast.

After a strong start from Cheung, O'Sullivan won three frames in a row before a valiant comeback from the Hong Kong qualifier knocked out the 50-year-old.

For Cheung it was his first win in a main-draw knockout match at a ranking event and he will now face Stuart Bingham for a spot in the last 16.

O'Sullivan became the eighth top-16 player to lose of the nine who had played at the Waterfront Hall so far, with Judd Trump later adding to that tally as he went down 4-3 to fellow Englishman Martin O'Donnell.

Source: BBC Sport