Ronnie O'Sullivan opts out of English Open with Luca Brecel in line to face Jimmy White after Xi'an Grand Prix walkout controversy

Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to sit out the English Open in his home town of Brentwood next week with the 2017 winner missing from the draw released by World Snooker Tour. O'Sullivan also opted out of the Wuhan Open after reaching the final of the Saudi Arabia Masters last month, losing 10-9 to Neil Robertson, who defends the English Open between September 11-21, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Watch extraordinary moment Brecel quits mid-match at Xi'an Grand Prix

Video credit: TNT Sports

Luca Brecel could be handed a match with six-time world finalist Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White in the second round of the English Open in Brentwood next week.

But seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan - who lost 10-9 to Neil Robertson in an epic Saudi Arabia final last month - is not in the draw for the English Open in the Essex town of Brentwood after also opting to miss the Wuhan Open, the third ranking event of the campaign won by Xiao Guodong.

The 2023 Crucible winner Brecel is due to return to action against Liam Davies in Northern Ireland Open qualifying in Leicester on Sunday following his remarkable walkout during his Xi'an Grand Prix qualifier at the city's Mattioli Arena.

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Trailing world No. 74 Sunny Akani 2-0 and 40-1 in the third frame on Tuesday, Brecel, who has dropped to 41st in the rankings, opted to quit the match, citing problems with his cue as the reason for his concession.

The former world No. 2 could face disciplinary action for quitting the match.

O'Sullivan begins semi-final with incredible 147 at Saudi Arabia Masters

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Due to overpower, I can't use my own cue today. Every decent snooker player knows how difficult it is to play with a borrowed cue from a colleague!" said Brecel on Instagram.

"Started the game with a warrior's mentality but soon realised that there was no feeling in that piece of wood.

"The feeling in the arm has been unbelievably good the last few weeks. Totally nothing to do with it all, but we keep on going!"

Meanwhile, former UK and Masters champion White is set to take on Huang Jiahao at 13:00 UK time in his Northern Ireland Open qualifier on Friday afternoon, live on discovery+.

Three-time ranking event winner Marco Fu booked his trip to Belfast, boosted by breaks of 104 and 114 in a 4-2 win over Amir Sarkhosh.

White opens his English Open campaign against Cheung Ka Wai in Brentwood on Thursday, September 11 at 10:00 with the winner facing Brecel in the second round at 10:00 on Saturday, September 13.

The top 32 seeds enter the draw in the last 64 on Monday, September 15 with Saudi Arabia Masters winner and top seed Robertson defending the title following his 9-7 win over Wu Yize in last year's final.