Ronnie O'Sullivan through to quarter-finals for first time in 2026 with thrilling win over Shaun Murphy at World Open
By Tom Masters
Published 19/03/2026 at 10:22 GMT
React to this story
Ronnie O'Sullivan set up a quarter-final showdown with Ryan Day after battling hard to beat Shaun Murphy 5-3 in a brilliant, topsy-turvy match in which both players showed their undeniable class. It is the first time in 2026 that The Rocket has advanced past the round of 16, and he did it in style against a quality opponent who did not do a lot wrong, delivering the highest break of the match.
O'Sullivan completes 'ruthless' win over Murphy to reach quarter-finals
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O’Sullivan advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Open with a thrilling 5-3 win over Shaun Murphy in Yushan, China.
In a match that ebbed and flowed, O’Sullivan was made to work for his spot in the last eight, in a match in which Murphy did not do a lot wrong.
The Rocket secured a century break of 121 in the fifth frame to regain the lead, after falling 2-1 behind.
Murphy appeared to gain control of the match with a century break of 139 in the second frame to level the scores, before he also took the third frame.
But once O’Sullivan rallied to make the score 2-2, he then delivered his best snooker of the match to take a 3-2 lead.
The topsy-turvy affair did not stop there, though, as Murphy secured the sixth frame with a break of 83 and in a best-of-nine, it appeared to be heading right down to the wire.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/19/image-0bea4229-21d9-40a8-a59d-d0c55e450689-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Never been a break-builder like him’ – O’Sullivan moves ahead with exquisite century
Video credit: TNT Sports
O’Sullivan has made a long career out of never backing down from a fight, and that was once again the same in Yushan, as he took a 4-3 lead with a break of 89.
The eighth frame was do or die for Murphy and it proved to be too much for the world No. 8, as O’Sullivan’s break of 76 proved enough to take the match.
O’Sullivan has previously said he will give himself two years to get back to his very best, which he believes would be his biggest achievement in snooker.
- Ding Junhui receives major boost in bid to book World Snooker Championship spot
- How does qualifying work for the World Snooker Championship 2026?
Against Murphy, he showed signs that he could reach that stage sooner rather than later, and he can now put his feet up ahead of a quarter-final showdown against Ryan Day.
Elsewhere in the morning session, Mark Allen showed true class as he eased to a comprehensive 5-0 win over Zhou Yuelong.
The Northern Irishman set the tone with a century break of 129 in the opening frame and Zhou was never able to establish any sort of foothold in the match.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/19/image-a625b02c-60c1-4191-be47-4665f1d1ed84-85-2560-1440.png)
'What a shot that is' - O'Sullivan sinks fine long red in Murphy duel
Video credit: TNT Sports
He faces China’s Wu Yize in the quarter-finals, after he came from 2-0 down to defeat Kyren Wilson 5-2, with a century break 109 to finish the match in the seventh frame.
In the afternoon session, Judd Trump and Zhao Xintong are both in action as two of the favourites look destined to meet in the semi-finals.
Third seed Trump faces compatriot Robbie Williams, while Zhao will face Gary Wilson. Both matches can be watched live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
China’s Zhang Anda also locks horns with Hossein Vafaei, with the winner facing Trump or Williams in the last eight, while there will be unseeded competition for Wilson or Zhao, as Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh takes on Hong Kong’s Marco Fu.
The World Open runs between March 16-22, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement