Ronnie O'Sullivan has advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Open in Yushan after a 5-3 victory over Shaun Murphy. The 50-year-old will now face Ryan Day, a player he has dominated historically, with one particular encounter leaving lasting psychological scars on the Welshman.
Day recalled their 2006 World Championship last-16 clash at the Crucible, where he led 9-7 before O'Sullivan mounted a trademark comeback to win 13-10. Speaking ahead of their most recent meeting in 2024, Day said: 'I was a lot younger, less experienced. I remember being 9-7 up and then I got ahead of myself. It was such a big match at that time. These places give you lots of great memories and lots of scars. That was certainly one of the scars.'
O'Sullivan, however, offered little sympathy. 'It's the nature of the sport,' he said. 'It's quite unforgiving out there on the tour. I took a lot of poundings over the years as a junior and amateur; it just makes you stronger.'
The pair's most recent meeting at the 2024 World Championship saw O'Sullivan win 13-7, extending his winning streak over Day to three matches. Day's last victory in the rivalry came in 2016.
The winner of Friday's quarter-final will face either Mark Allen or Wu Yize in the semi-finals, with a potential final against Judd Trump or reigning world champion Zhao Xintong.
