Ronnie O’Sullivan Defeated by Jiahui in Saudi Arabia Masters

Ronnie O’Sullivan fell 6-4 to China’s Si Jiahui in the quarter-finals of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Masters in Riyadh. Despite trailing 2-0 and later 5-2, O’Sullivan mounted a brief comeback by winning two consecutive frames. However, Jiahui secured the final frame to clinch victory. Ronnie O’Sullivan, England’s seven-time world champion had expressed frustration with his form after a previous comeback win over Zhang Anda, stating that his performances had not been enjoyable.

In the semi-finals, Si Jiahui will face Wales’ Mark Williams, who defeated Englishman Jimmy Robertson 6-0, including a notable break of 133 in the final frame. The other semi-final will feature Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy. Trump the world number one overcame Australian Neil Robertson 6-3. Trump took a 3-0 lead with a break of 100 in the third frame marking his 997th career century.

Although Robertson closed the gap to 4-3, Trump ultimately secured the win as Robertson’s challenge waned. Shaun Murphy advanced with a 6-2 win over China’s Xiao Guodong, despite making only one significant break—a 61 in the eighth frame. The Saudi Arabia Masters launched this year has quickly become the most lucrative event in snooker offering a £2.3 million prize fund with £500,000 awarded to the winner.

Organisers have dubbed it the unofficial ‘fourth major’ in snooker following the World Championship, Masters and UK Championship.