O'Sullivan Begins Season with Strong Win at Shanghai Masters

Ronnie O'Sullivan kicked off the new snooker season with a commanding performance at the Shanghai Masters, where he triumphed in the first round against 18-year-old Liu Linhao. The seven-time world champion showcased his skill by winning the match 6-1, marking a strong start to the 2026-27 season.

In this match, O'Sullivan, aged 50, demonstrated his experience and talent by making four breaks exceeding 50 points. His victory sets up a challenging encounter with top seed and defending champion Kyren Wilson in the last 16, scheduled for Tuesday.

In contrast, fellow Englishman Mark Selby faced an unexpected early exit, falling 6-5 to local player Zhou Yuelong. Zhou, currently ranked 22nd in the world, rallied impressively with breaks of 83 and 107 to overcome a 5-4 deficit.

Barry Hawkins also advanced to the last 16 after defeating Lei Peifan 6-4, while Chris Wakelin secured a dominant 6-0 win against Hewen Tang. Looking ahead, Hawkins will face world number one Judd Trump in the next round, while O'Sullivan's match against Wilson promises to be a highlight of the tournament.