Cheung beats O’Sullivan after 3-1 comeback

Qualifier Cheung Ka Wai beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-3 in the Northern Ireland Open first round in Belfast on October 19, winning the final three frames after the seven-time world champion had taken a 3-1 lead. O’Sullivan opened with a 56 break in the second frame, followed by a 138 clearance and a 72 as he moved ahead. Cheung, ranked 110th, responded with breaks of 88 and 77 to level the match and force a decider. In the final frame, O’Sullivan had the first chance but missed a blue. Cheung took advantage to secure the victory. His deciding-frame break was reported as 60 in one account and 61 in another. The result sent Cheung into the second round. The defeat ended O’Sullivan’s first appearance at a UK tournament since losing to John Higgins in the second round of the World Championship in April. He was playing in only his third tournament of the season, and his first Northern Ireland Open since 2022. Cheung said after the match that he had been nervous before facing O’Sullivan and described the contest as the best experience of his snooker career. He joined the professional tour in 2024. The win was reported as his first main-draw knockout victory at a ranking event. O’Sullivan...