O’Sullivan’s seventh world snooker title bid shattered by McGill

Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan had his hopes of a record-equalling seventh world title shattered in the second round by Anthony McGill on Friday.

McGill triumphed 13-12 in the final frame at the Crucible in Sheffield after O’Sullivan had fought back from 10-5 down to lead 11-10 and then 12-11.

The Scottish player, ranked 16 and who was a semi-finalist in the last world championship, held his nerve with an 85-point clearance in the decider.

“He was unlucky to lose in the semi-finals last year and if I had lost to anybody else I would be a bit sore but the snooker gods did the right thing today,” O’Sullivan told the BBC.

“I have to lick my wounds and come back again. I just want to enjoy my snooker because I haven’t really been playing well and I find it hard to enjoy it if I’m not playing well and cueing well.

“I am pleased I was able to focus and compete. But you can’t pot anything and it wasn’t meant to be.”

McGill, who lost a heartbreaking semi-final in 2020’s delayed world championship when he was just one frame from winning, said: “I played so well this morning and Ronnie just played like Ronnie tonight and I didn’t step up.

“But I managed to stop the rot at 11 each.”