Saudi Arabia Masters recap – O'Sullivan makes successful get started in quest for £500,000 jackpot

• Tom Ford 1-4 Si Jiahui
• Luca Brecel 1-3 Pang Junxu
• Ding Junhui 2-2 Stuart Bingham
• John Higgins 1-4 Jimmy Robertson
• Kyren Wilson 4-2 Liu Hongyu
• Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-1 Lei Peifan
• Mark Williams 3-2 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
• Zhang Anda 5-0 Ben Woollaston

A excellent clearance of 131 from Ronnie, who turns at the taste to advance to the final 16. Sensible efficiency from O’Sullivan.

Smartly, this fit is quickly to be a historic truth. A very good efficiency truly from the arena No. 4. He’ll be dealing with Zhang Anda, who has simply produced 4 century breaks to whitewash Ben Woollaston 5-0.

Surprising restoration pot by way of Ronnie as he rolls in crimson to inexperienced pocket. Proper down the desk after reds by no means opened too neatly. This looks as if sport, set and fit for the snooker GOAT.

O’Sullivan taking a look to get this fit wrapped up right here and now. Does not wish to be unduly detained when he has performed so neatly this night time.

A ravishing little cameo clearance of 63 from Lei, his best of the evening. Ronnie with a 4-1 lead now.

No less than younger Lei goes to steer clear of the whitewash this night time. Is the comeback on? Smartly, by no means say by no means on this sport.

Lei inching against this 5th body. O’Sullivan simply failing to money in with a couple of possibilities. Lei then misses every other crimson that are supposed to be losing. However a neglected black by way of Ronnie is definitely going to price him the body. Simple end for Lei.

Transferring alongside well right here Lei. 27 and counting. Great little shot at the black to spin into the pack of reds. Making first rate development right here as a couple of extra balls are unfolded. However he then misses a blind cutback on a crimson because the wreck ends on 34. Tale of his evening truly. Ronnie again on the desk.

Boys again at the baize. Lei first to the punch within the 5th body of the night time. Would dearly like to stave off a whitewash. And has likelihood to construct lead right here.

• Tom Ford 1-2 Si Jiahui
• Luca Brecel 1-0 Pang Junxu
• Ding Junhui 2-1 Stuart Bingham
• John Higgins 0-3 Jimmy Robertson
• Kyren Wilson 2-1 Liu Hongyu
• Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-0 Lei Peifan
• Mark Williams 2-1 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
• Zhang Anda 3-0 Ben Woollaston

It’s all heading the way in which of the snooker GOAT. No ton, however 93 is simply the process for the 41-time score match winner. He leads 4-0 on the mid-session period. Yet one more body, and he’ll be thru to the final 16.

If you do not rating towards O’Sullivan, you find yourself taking part in the position of spectator. And that’s what is going on right here for Lei. Might be every other century at the move.

Ronnie with every other surprising lengthy crimson instantly off the bat on the outset of the fourth body. Flew right into a most sensible pocket. Nice lengthy crimson. He then helps to keep the wreck going with every other fabulous shot to the yellow bag. Looks as if 4-0 incoming.

• Tom Ford 0-0 Si Jiahui
• Luca Brecel 1-1 Pang Junxu
• Ding Junhui 1-1 Stuart Bingham
• John Higgins 0-2 Jimmy Robertson
• Kyren Wilson 1-1 Liu Hongyu
• Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-0 Lei Peifan
• Mark Williams 1-1 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
• Zhang Anda 2-0 Ben Woollaston

59, 103 and 61 sees Ronnie surge 3-0 forward within the race to 5. Crowd revelling of their first glimpse of the snooker GOAT.

A lead of 34 issues for O’Sullivan with two reds ultimate at the desk. Lei now not truly threatening to bring together a frame-winning clearance as Ronnie drops in an attractive lengthy crimson prior to seeing off crimson and blue. Heading 3-0 up in just below an hour.

Ronnie sees white bury itself within the inexperienced pocket after seeking to lay a telling snooker prior to Lei responds with a trendy lengthy crimson. O’Sullivan escapes from a snooker seconds later. 3 reds left at the desk.

O’Sullivan throwing in critical mistakes the usage of his left hand taking part in protected. However Lei cannot take merit as a crimson the usage of relaxation fails to drop.

This body seems to be to be heading in a single path, and Lei is compelled to take a seat and undergo. Winner of this fit will face Zhang Anda or Ben Woollaston within the final 16 on Wednesday night time. 61 from O’Sullivan prior to he’s compelled to run protected. Lei responds with a superb opening crimson. Likelihood then to release the counter assault.

O’Sullivan striding across the desk with an actual objective. Taking part in his evening out up to now. Very sharp a number of the balls at shut vary.

Every other blunder by way of O’Sullivan as he performs a left-handed shot and sticks a crimson over most sensible left-hand pocket. However Lei once more misses the lengthy crimson over the bag. That may be a fundamental pass over. O’Sullivan again on the baize.

Lei almost certainly feared the worst with that neglected crimson, and so it proves as a excellent clearance of 103 sees him double his early merit. Seems appropriate within the groove in Riyadh.

Likelihood of a century in the second one body in development. O’Sullivan looks as if he’s at one with the desk in striking balls away with such a lot ease.

Massive protection blunder by way of Ronnie in leaving a crimson over a most sensible pocket, however Lei butchers his strive on the lengthy crimson, and all of sudden O’Sullivan is gifted with likelihood to regain flooring on this body. Dangerous pass over by way of Lei. Such a lot of reds left within the open. All at once O’Sullivan at the march as he speeds to 48.

• Shaun Murphy 5-2 Yuan Sijun
• Mark Selby 3-5 Neil Robertson
• Mark Allen 1-5 Xiao Guodong
• Barry Hawkins 1-5 Scott Donaldson
• Jak Jones 3-5 Jack Lisowski
• Judd Trump 5-4 Wu Yize
• Gary Wilson 5-2 David Gilbert
• Ali Carter 3-5 Elliot Slessor

• Tom Ford 0-0 Si Jiahui
• Luca Brecel 1-0 Pang Junxu
• Ding Junhui 0-0 Stuart Bingham
• John Higgins 0-0 Jimmy Robertson
• Kyren Wilson 0-0 Liu Hongyu
• Ronnie O’Sullivan 1-0 Lei Peifan
• Mark Williams 0-0 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
• Zhang Anda 0-0 Ben Woollaston

O’Sullivan with a unfastened protection shot after sliding in a excellent lengthy crimson the usage of his left hand. Likelihood then for Lei to make some development on this 2nd body.

Every other 21 issues added to the entire, and that shall be your lot for the primary body. Ronnie now not messing about. This can be a critical trade for him in Saudi Arabia.

Lei is going for an extended crimson. Does not drop, and he sticks up the body definitely for Ronnie, who spent 3 hours at the apply desk the day past. Looks as if 1-0 right here.

A great wreck of 59 in very little time. Is going for a double on a crimson to stay wreck going, however simply off the perspective. No harm achieved after pack did not open. Drive on Lei to search out his toes early on. First participant to 5 frames progresses.

First likelihood falls to Lei after a Ronnie protection error, however now not taken and the Rocket rolls in a pleasant opening crimson to left centre. Likelihood to get hand on baize. Wastes little time in attending to paintings in those fits.

Welcome again to the last-32 conflict between O’Sullivan and 21-year-old Lei, the a hundred and first seed. Those two males getting a heat reception from the massive crowd at the showpiece desk. Riyadh expects. Or one thing like that. O’Sullivan gained their simplest earlier assembly, 4-2 on the Northern Eire Open 5 years in the past.

Sign up for us once more at 6pm BST for Ronnie O’Sullivan v Lei Peifan.

Jak Jones 2-4 Jack Lisowski

Mark Selby 3-4 Neil Robertson

A complete one-off of a genius. He meets Jak Jones or Jack Lisowski subsequent.

Taking care to pot the black, Judd lands on nowt – for all of the distinction it makes. Wu thinks he is left the whole lot protected, however an excellent crimson caressed from center to left nook just about secures the fit, and that is absurd behaviour. Wu performed neatly to make 4-0, however the distinction in how Judd has performed, oof madone. It is a privilege to be dwelling in his time.

It is Judd in first however he quickly runs out of place; regardless of. An ideal crimson to appropriate nook yields not anything extra, however he briefly does the similar once more and this seems to be ominous for Wu – there are a couple of unfastened reds, however as he eliminates them he liberates others, and this is excellent stuff. Judd is just too just right to be saved quiet for the period of time it takes to overcome him over any distance, and his skill to battle is as mythical as his skill to pot.

Mark Allen 1-5 Xiao Guodong

Ali Carter 3-5 Elliot Slessor

Jak Jones 2-4 Jack Lisowski

Mark Selby 3-3 Neil Robertson

80-nine and the body for Judd. It is a whilst since Wu did anything else of word, and the period may simply’ve achieved for him as a result of had they plated on I am positive he’d have achieved the essential by way of now.

Slowly and sparsely – by way of his requirements – Judd builds a doubtlessly definitive lead, slamming purple to center, breaking pack off the facet rail with ridiculous swerve, and that is going to be 4-4. Judd Trump is just right at snooker.

Wu, installed a decent spot, leaves a ball to right-middle; Judd cannot drain it, however nor can he tidy it up. His degree has dropped as Judd’s has risen and now, starter there to left nook, is an opportunity for the Ace to power a decider.

Mark Allen 1-4 Xiao Guodong

Ali Carter 3-4 Elliot Slessor

Jak Jones 2-3 Jack Lisowski

Shaun Murphy 5-2 Yuan Sijun

Mark Selby 3-3 Neil Robertson

Given all of the naughty snooker pyrotechnics, we from time to time overlook that Judd Trump is likely one of the nice competition. Wu would’ve beloved a 4-3 lead firstly, however 4-3 fro 4-0 may have him feeling very differetly about lifestyles.

He can not. Judd snks the following crimson and he is coming.

Judd overcuts a crimson to right-centre, the lead 61 with 75 left. The desk, despite the fact that, isn’t a very easy one, so Wu will wish to do one thing important to reserve it.

There is no one higher at successful the short-sprint fits than Judd and because the issues acquire, Wu shall be beginning to marvel.

Each males pass over possible starters then, left in a decent spot, Wu catches his decided on crimson too thinly, remains up the trade finish, and leaves Judd lots at which to head.

Mark Allen 1-3 Xiao Guodong

Ali Carter 2-4 Elliot Slessor

Barry Hawkins 1-5 Scott Donaldson

Jak Jones 1-3 Jack Lisowski

Shaun Murphy 4-2 Yuan Sijun

Mark Selby 1-3 Neil Robertson

Gary Wilson 5-2 Dave Gilbert

Judd closes the distance and Wu shall be feeling heat breath on chilly neck. However he is nonetheless in control of this and I doubt he’s going to be fazed – he may not have expcted to overcome the nice Judd Trump 5-0, so.

Judd secures the body and appears a lot better than he did within the first mini-sesh – it is been a naughty run, has this. However Wu remains to be taking part in well, so nonetheless favorite to take the only body he wishes for victory someday.

Compelled to take a look at a double, Wu cannot get it down, which means Judd is again on the desk potting balls.

Very good starter from Judd however whern he sinks an unpleasant cut-back black, is he on a crimson? He is into the pack however now not with sufficient tempo, which means he is to jab down on one … and he sticks it into the knuckle. So Wu will get going and the way in which the balls are, particularly after he boxes yellow to center, he can rack up a good lead – on the very least.

Mark Allen 1-3 Xiao Guodong

Ali Carter 0-4 Elliot Slessor

Barry Hawkins 0-4 Scott Donaldson

Jak Jones 1-3 Jack Lisowski

Shaun Murphy 3-1 Yuan Sijun

Mark Selby 1-3 Neil Robertson

Gary Wilson 3-2 Dave Gilbert

It is dicey and may’ve long past the wrong way,, however Judd will get there in any case; he is nonetheless within the festival.

Eeesh, Wu has a possibility to finish issues, a tough crimson to appropriate nook … and he will get so, so shut. However so, so shut is not what beats the genius Judd Trump, and he’s going to now scale back the deficit.

There are two reds caught in combination at the most sensible rail; if Wu can increase them, he’s going to win f&m at this talk over with. However a deficient shot prior to he will get the risk way he has to play protected, and the chase for the pair is on.

Nope, cueing around the desk he wobbles one within the jaws of appropriate nook and sits down 56 issues to the great however with 75 left at the desk.

Indisputably following some stern phrases from his brother, Judd is readily in in body 5 and, with the black down in baulk, he builds with blues then frees the purple. The reds are not simple, however he will have to have the ability to bin sufficient to recover from the road right here and avert the whitewash.

Mark Allen 1-2 Xiao Guodong

Ali Carter 0-4 Elliot Slessor

Barry Hawkins 0-4 Scott Donaldson

Jak Jones 1-3 Jack Lisowski

Shaun Murphy 3-1 Yuan Sijun

Mark Selby 1-3 Neil Robertson

Gary Wilson 2-2 Dave Gilbert

Wu does the essential and deficient as Judd has been, he is performed very well and at 20, is an excessively critical skill. He wishes one body asfter the mid-sesh to transport on; Judd must to search out himself.

I will be able to’t be mindful the final time I noticed Judd play this badly – and what is peculiar is he arrived at this festival in gorgeous nick. Wu, despite the fact that, could also be feeling just right, and his artful break-building quickly way he is on the desk with each ball simply out there. That is going to be 4-0 and a mini-sesh whitewash!

Judd simply can not get going – he is having an absolute shocker. He misses a crimson to appropriate nook, permitting Wu one to left-middle, and this may neatly value him the body! What on earth is going on?!

Wu jawses an extended crimson and virtually pots it within the reverse bag, permitting Judd a good move. However in some way, he makes a decision to ease in a brown without a actual concept as to what may occur with the white such that after he contrives to pass over, he leaves a ncie starter. So Wu drains it, is going into the pack off the black, and the cut up is OK, equipped he can sink a terrible one to center … which he cannot. Every other likelihood for Judd!

Mark Allen 1-2 Xiao Guodong

Ali Carter 0-3 Elliot Slessor

Barry Hawkins 0-2 Scott Donaldson

Jak Jones 0-2 Jack Lisowski

Shaun Murphy 2-1 Yuan Sijun

Mark Selby 1-1 Neil Robertson

Gary Wilson 1-2 Dave Gilbert

Wow. The arena primary simply cannot get himself going – now we have observed some nice single-ball potting however no first rate wreck, and if he is not very cautious he’s going to quickly be off hame.

Simply when Wu seems to be set to head 3 forward, he leaves a crimson to the yellow and Judd sinks a good looks … simplest to botch a black off its spot! Tat is a stunning pass over! Wu is certainly about to guide by way of 3, and if The Ace does not win the final body prior to the period, he’s going to definitely be achieved for!

My gadget crashes, apologies. However Wu finishes off body two and Judd must get himself going.

Wu runs out of place so performs protected, however a flick off the purple permits Judd a possibility. Whilst he accumulates, I suppose, crass despite the fact that it’s, I will have to word simply how a lot prize cash is on be offering this week:

Pretty opener from Wu, slotted off the ground cushion into left nook, and he fancies this, you’ll be able to inform – no marvel, he is hitting it pretty.

Mark Allen 0-1 Xiao Guodong

Ali Carter 0-1 Elliot Slessor

Barry Hawkins 0-0 Scott Donaldson

Jak Jones 0-1 Jack Lisowski

Shaun Murphy 1-0 Yuan Sijun

Mark Selby 0-1 Neil Robertson

Gary Wilson 1-0 Dave Gilbert

Wu clips a superb crimson into the yellow bag so Judd wishes two snookers.

Goodness me, Wu misses a easy penultiate crimson to the fairway and a body that regarded over stays alive!

Or now not. He faucets within the crimson left over the bag however cannot get on a color, lacking touch at the blue and handing Wu a chance to attain – he narrows the distance however cannot organize anything else telling. Regardless of: he quickly will get every other move and this can be a likelihood to head in entrance.

However Judd misses a blue, providing Wu a starter to center which he accepts gratefully. He beat Stephen Maguire 5-4 final night time, however he cannot sink a cut-back crimson and that’s the reason going to price him.

Ahahahaha! Judd’s first shot within the festival is a gorgeous lengthy crimson off Wu’s wreck. And after a unfastened blue, he sends every other banger into the yellow bag, bridging awkwardly over the pack – he is definitely the best recovery-potter now we have ever observed. In comms, Phil Yates informs us that over supreme of eleven, Judd’s unbeaten in 28 fits since December 2022 – this is ridiculous – and he is instantly to paintings right here as you would be expecting, given he is one name and one ultimate from two competitions up to now this season.

First on is Judd Trump, who faces Wu Yize – it is the first to 5, and this will have to be a good contest.

And welcome to the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters 2024 – day 4!