Ronnie O’Sullivan receives warm welcome in Hong Kong
Ronnie O’Sullivan arrived in Hong Kong to a rapturous reception from fans ahead of the World Grand Prix, reports BritPanorama.
The 50-year-old seven-time world champion was greeted with smiles and a red scarf presented at the airport, an act that visibly pleased the snooker icon.
Following the welcome, O’Sullivan took to Instagram to share videos of the event, captioning his post: “Nice to be back in Hong Kong and a great welcome as usual.” The post quickly garnered over 4,000 likes, with enthusiastic comments, including one fan wishing, “Red for good luck! Reign Supreme!”
In the opening sessions at Kai Tak Arena, a surprising upset unfolded as Masters champion Kyren Wilson was defeated 5-2 by China’s Xiao Guodong. This loss poses a significant setback for Wilson, who required a strong performance in Hong Kong to retain hope for the Players Championship, a title he secured last year.
Wilson’s defeat has eliminated his chances of progressing to the tournament’s last 16, having slipped outside the top 16 on the one-year list. On the other hand, Xiao showcased his skill with breaks of 87 and 86, cementing his victory with two additional half-centuries.
Mark Selby also demonstrated why he is regarded as one of snooker’s elite by decisively beating Aaron Hill 5-0. Selby’s composed break-building yielded runs of 60, 100, 82, 94, and 76, including a brilliant century. His performance underscored his readiness as the tournament progresses, leaving Hill with few opportunities.
Additionally, Elliot Slessor made a notable comeback against Stuart Bingham, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to win 5-2, while Zhou Yuelong secured his progression with a 5-2 victory over Stephen Maguire, ending his match with a remarkable 116 break.
As for O’Sullivan, he is set to face Joe O’Connor in the first round at Kai Tak Arena. Should he advance, a match against Xiao Guodong awaits him following the latter’s impressive upset over Wilson.
The tournament is scheduled to run until Sunday, February 8, with all matches broadcast live on TNT Sports. The atmosphere in Hong Kong is bound to provide an electrifying backdrop as competitors vie for the title.
