Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals plan of attack ahead of bid for record eighth world title, boosted by superb World Open win over Shaun Murphy
Published 19/03/2026 at 10:21 GMT
Ronnie O'Sullivan produced one of his best performances of the season with a superb 5-3 win over Shaun Murphy in the last 16 of the World Open. The seven-time Crucible champion is set to prepare for a record eighth world title bid in Sheffield by facing John Higgins, Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry in a warm-up event in Ireland on April 11-12 before the sport's biggest event begins a week later.
O'Sullivan completes 'ruthless' win over Murphy to reach quarter-finals
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to prepare for his latest bid for a record eighth World Snooker Championship by joining fellow 'Class of '92' icons John Higgins and Mark Williams at a warm-up event in Ireland.
Fellow seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry is also set to appear at Goffs in County Kildare on April 11-12, with the golden quartet chasing the John Virgo Trophy in memory of the celebrated commentator and former UK champion, who sadly died last month.
But as expected, the Dubai-based snooker GOAT has not entered the 12-player Tour Championship in Manchester (March 30-April 5) ahead of his annual trip to Sheffield for the sport's biggest event, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max (April 18-May 4).
As it stands, world No. 9 Xiao Guodong, the 13th player on the sport's one-year list, will take O'Sullivan's place at the Tour event.
It means the ongoing World Open in Yushan will be O'Sullivan's last competitive appearance in a ranking tournament before he marks a record-extending 34th straight year at the Crucible.
O'Sullivan could yet head for the Crucible by winning his first ranking event since the World Grand Prix in January 2024 after completing an impressive 5-3 win over British Open champion Shaun Muphy in the last 16 on Thursday.
He will face Ryan Day, a 5-4 winner over Artemijs Zizins, in the quarter-finals on Friday morning at 6am GMT, with breaks of 96, 70, 121, 98 and 76 enough to see off Murphy, who contributed 139, 62 and 76 in a heavyweight scoring bout.
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Watch: O'Sullivan walks out of arena after unexpected issue
Video credit: TNT Sports
Despite battling problems with a new cue a year ago, O'Sullivan managed to reach the semi-finals at the Crucible, losing 17-7 to Zhao Xintong, who became China's first world champion with an 18-12 final victory over Mark Williams.
O'Sullivan won the last of his seven world titles with an 18-13 title triumph over Judd Trump in 2022, after previous victories in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2020.
But he has competed in only seven ranking events this season, including his run to the final of the Saudi Arabia Masters in August, where he lost 10-9 to Neil Robertson in an epic joust.
There have also been two quarter-final appearances in Shanghai and Xi'an, but the Essex man has limited his appearances in UK competitions as he continues to pick and choose his moments.
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Unlike Higgins and Williams, who are both inside the world's top six, having displayed a remarkable level of consistency, O'Sullivan has reverted to a part-time schedule.
But he is content with his plan of attack in prioritising appearances at overseas events, having also missed the Masters at Alexandra Palace in January.
"I always prepare well," he told TNT Sports after compiling breaks of 77, 138, 96 and 52 in a 5-0 whitewash of Matt Selt in the last 32 at the World Open.
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'What a shot that is' - O'Sullivan sinks fine long red in Murphy duel
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I know people question if I practise enough. Everyone has done that since I was a kid. They seem to think I just turn up. I prepare harder than probably any other player and I work harder.
"I think people just assume I only need to get out of bed and pot balls. That isn't the case. I work very hard."
The World Open runs between March 16-22, live on TNT Sports and on-demand on discovery+.
On March 26, TNT Sports will move from discovery+ to its new streaming home on HBO Max in the UK.
For existing customers, to keep streaming TNT Sports, simply download the HBO Max app, or go to HBOMax.com, and sign in using existing discovery+ login details.
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