Zhao reels off 8 instantly frames to depart O’Sullivan in massive Crucible hollow

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s mid-match trade of tip backfired spectacularly as he used to be whitewashed by way of Zhao Xintong in the second one consultation in their World Snooker Championship semi-final.

O’Sullivan had the end and ferrule on his cue modified in a single day, having labelled it as “awful” ahead of the last-four conflict with Zhao on the Crucible. The seven-time champion had nonetheless emerged from the primary consultation degree at 4-4, however extremely misplaced all 8 frames on Friday morning as Zhao ruthlessly punished each ignored pot and deficient protection to transport 12-4 forward.

The 28-year-old left-hander now wishes simply 5 extra frames to guide his position within the last in opposition to both Judd Trump or Mark Williams after causing most effective the fourth consultation whitewash of his profession on a shellshocked O’Sullivan. Zhao made breaks of 57 (two times), 112 and 82 to determine an 8-4 lead, with O’Sullivan scoring simply 50 issues in the ones 4 frames and recording a best possible spoil of 23.

There used to be no respite for O’Sullivan after the mid-session period as Zhao made breaks of 67 and 115 to increase his lead, with O’Sullivan then lacking a yellow off the spot within the subsequent body to permit his opponent again to the desk. Zhao wanted two alternatives to take the body and in addition took the final of the consultation with a spoil of 87 after O’Sullivan had inexplicably ignored a easy blue to the center pocket.

The former UK Championship winner John Virgo, commentating for the BBC, used to be filled with reward for Zhao’s efficiency. “Scintillating snooker,” he stated. “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.”