Ronnie O’Sullivan crashes OUT of World Open Snooker to nemesis he’s been feuding with for years

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has crashed out of the World Open at the hands of nemesis Hossein Vafaei.

The Rocket missed a crucial black to win the match in the final frame as Vafaei sealed his place in the quarter-final.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has crashed out of the World OpenGetty

PAHossein Vafaei held his nerve to seal his quarter-final place[/caption]

The pair appeared to be in good spirits despite their feuding past

O’Sullivan found himself trailing 4-3 but hit back with a brilliant century to ensure the match went down to the final frame.

It was a tense affair as both players had turns at the tables to build breaks, but neither player built an unassailable lead.

A mis-shot from O’Sullivan when he was 27 ahead with 29 remaining meant he had to play safe before the pair exchanged snookers.

O’Sullivan then set up a chance to win the match after he pocketed a brilliant red, but then missed a much simpler black.

Vafaei was then presented with the opportunity to clear the table and he made no mistake, holding his nerve on the colours to seal victory by just a point.

It is a win which will feel even sweeter for Vafaei as he has been involved in a long-running feud with O’Sullivan.

They first clashed in 2021 Vafaei accused O’Sullivan of disrespect after he smashed up the reds with a break-off shot during qualifying for the German Masters.

O’Sullivan then provoked his opponent by suggesting Vafaei may be suited to a different job.

O’Sullivan vs Vafaei feud timeline

Jan 2021: Vafaei accuses O’Sullivan of “disrespect” after he smashes up the reds with a break-off shot during qualifying for the German Masters

The Rocket hits back by suggesting snooker is not the right job for Vafaei

April 2022: Vafaei is riled up again over comments O’Sullivan made about young players trying to get into the game

The Iranian adds O’Sullivan “ought to retire”

April 2023: O’Sullivan revealed he was “fired up” by the retirement comments and says he gets “turned on” by criticism from rivals

Vafaei smashes up the reds with a break-off shot during their World Snooker Championship clash

O’Sullivan thrashes Vafaei 13-2 but pair embrace and are seen laughing and joking

March 2024: Pair seem to have put their disagreements aside as Vafaei knocks O’Sullivan out of the World Open

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER

The Iranian hit back by telling O’Sullivan to retire to allow younger players more opportunities.

Vafaei admitted he was “frustrated” by many of O’Sullivan’s behaviours, including the seven-time world champion labelling his colleagues “numpties” and suggesting he would not encourage his kids to take up the sport as for many playing snooker is “a waste of life”.

In typical O’Sullivan fashion he stoked the spat further by claiming he gets “turned on” when he receives criticism, and said he was “fired up” by Vafaei’s retirement comments.

It did not take long for the pair to butt heads again as Vafaei decided to reignite tensions with a “disrespectful” break off shot of his own, smashing up the reds during their World Snooker Championship tie last year.

O’Sullivan had the last laugh as he thrashed Vafaei 13-2, and the pair appeared to make amends as they hugged at the end before laughing and joking with one another.

The duo also embraced warmly in China despite O’Sullivan suffering a shock defeat against an opponent he was expected to beat.