Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bid for a record eighth World Snooker Championship is in tatters after he fell victim to a second session whitewash.
The 49-year-old lost each of his eight frames against Zhao Xintong in their semi-final clash to trail 12-4 heading into Friday night’s session.
O’Sullivan, who has won a joint-record seven world titles alongside Stephen Hendry, went into Friday morning’s session level with his Chinese opponent on four frames apiece.
But following an incredible display from his 28-year-old rival, Zhao needs to claim just five more frames to seal his place in Sunday’s final.
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.
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, his decision appears to have ultimately backfired after being whitewashed.
It’s just the fourth time in O’Sullivan’s career that he has lost each of his eight frames in a single World Championship session.
Meanwhile it’s the first that O’Sullivan has lost all eight frames in a Crucible session since losing to Graeme Dott in the semi-final in 2006.
And qualifier Zhao, who had previously never gone beyond the last-16 stage at the Crucible before this year, expertly capitalised on his opponents struggles.
O’Sullivan’s dreams of a record eighth World Championship are in tattersGetty Zhao is looking to become the first Asian star to conquer the CrucibleGettySpeaking 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.”
Should Zhao manage to beat O’Sullivan, he would be gunning to become the first Asian player to lift the World Championship.
Meanwhile, he would also become the first amateur to conquer the Crucible.
Zhao and O’Sullivan will resume their semi-final clash at 7pm on Friday night.
And if Zhao wins five of the next eight frames, he would seal his place in the final a session early.
A match against either Judd Trump or Mark Williams awaits for the winner.
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