World No1 Ronnie O’Sullivan suffered a shock second-round English Open defeat on home Essex soil in his last match of the year on Thursday.
The Rocket crashed and burned against Londoner Martin Gould at the Brentwood Centre as the world No43 claimed a stunning 4-1 victory.
It was the first time Gould, 41, had ever beaten the reigning and record seven-time world champion in a major ranking tournament.
READ MORE:
- O’Sullivan Loved Every Minute On Planet Poomjaeng
-
Murphy Calls For Life Bans On Any Snooker Player Found Guilty Of Match-Fixing
- Betfred's Latest English Open Odds*
And after seeing out the week as a TV pundit O’Sullivan, 47, is ready to pack away his cue and head off on a 10-day sunshine break to the Middle East.
It was also a last meeting with his documentary film crew – grabbing some final shots of a low after the highs with the much-anticipated movie set for release next year.
O’Sullivan said: “I will celebrate Christmas sitting in Dubai, getting some sun, chilling out, going to the gym and doing a bit of running.
“I don’t normally go away but it’s a warm-weather break for me this year. I have been invited out there and I’ll be there for 10 days.
“And I’ll be back in time for the Masters in January. It’s a family that have invited me but I can’t mention no names I’ll get in trouble, I think I had to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement!
“The documentary crew were here again today for the last time at a tournament, that is all coming to an end – a last couple of bits.
“It is all getting wrapped up and I have spent a lot of time with them over the past year. It has been fun.
“There was the big high of the seventh world title, and today I have lost in the last 32 of the English Open.
“When it comes out I am sure there will be a theme, story or narrative and that will explain my relationship with the game.
“The times that everyone else thinks are highs for me are not always my highs – and the times like today they might think are lows are not always my lows.
“One of the things I think will come out of it is that it is not all about winning and losing, but being happy with yourself and in your life.
“I am in a very good place at the moment, and when I am not – I know how to get back there. And I would be happy with eight good weeks in the next 10 years if it meant big titles.
“Martin did all right today – he played well. Streaky bacon, that should be his new name – streaky Gould. He can be hot or mildly hot…like Nando’s, I suppose.
“But I feel okay about today, great really – I enjoyed the game, I’m out of the snooker and so it’s back into the pundit’s box here. Essex isn’t getting rid of me that easily just yet!”
Mark Williams is into a first ever English Open quarter-final following a 4-2 victory over Barry Hawkins – and now meets world No4 Neil Robertson on Friday.
The 47-year-old from Wales, a three-time world champion, knocked in a magnificent break of 130 in the opening frame – but was soon 2-1 behind.
However world No8 Williams, chasing a 25th ranking title success this week, claimed the last three frames with breaks of 84, 53 and 91.
Williams, who has just started selling a personally branded range of leisure-wear, said: “I don’t think Fred Perry has much to worry about – but it has gone a lot better than I could ever have expected.
“There are hoodies, T-shirts, bobble hats, jumpers…and I am re-ordering stuff all the time. It is something I had wanted to do for a while, some clothing that is affordable and not expensive.
“I use it myself every day as do my kids and there is a lot for them on there, and I think it is the best out there. We are getting orders from China, Australia, all over the world – not just the UK.
“It is paying its way and who knows where it will go – either it will be all over in six months, or ticking over nicely.”
Australia’s Robertson beat this year’s British Open winner Ryan Day 4-2.
York’s Ashley Hugill is into a first ever ranking-tournament quarter-final after bringing Martin Gould back down to earth with a 4-1 victory.
Gould had knocked out tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan earlier in the day, but away from the main table and out in the backwaters of table four Hugill felt he had an advantage.
The 28-year-old has had a memorable week for all sorts of reasons. He was the scheduled opponent for Yan Bingtao on Monday when his opponent was suspended 15 minutes before their match.
And world No98 Hugill has made that first-round walkover count. He said: “I had played on table four all week, so for Martin coming off table one against Ronnie maybe helped me.
“It was a good opportunity, clearly playing Martin is easier than playing Ronnie. And especially given I haven’t been feeling well at all, getting to a first quarter-final is incredible.
“I was just sitting there before the match against Yan when I got pulled out by the tournament director and told I had a walkover. You’re all ready to play, and I practice with Yan.”
Judd Trump gained some revenge over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh with a 4-2 victory to move into the quarter-finals. The Thai player had knocked him out of the recent Scottish Open.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
