Ronnie O’Sullivan v Gary Wilson LIVE: Snooker World Grand Prix updates from quarter-final

In an attempt to advance to the World Grand Prix semi-finals in Leicester, Ronnie O’Sullivan takes a break from his verbal sparring match with Ali Carter.

When Ronnie O’Sullivan takes against Gary Wilson in the World Grand Prix quarterfinals in Leicester, he will be hoping to build on his strong recent performance.

O’Sullivan advanced to the World Grand Prix quarterfinals after defeating Zhou Yuelong 4-3 in the second round on Thursday. Breaks of 67, 107, 50, and 90 helped O’Sullivan defeat Ali Carter in the 2024 Masters final at Alexandra Palace last weekend, winning the renowned crystal trophy for a record eighth time. Wilson, ranked 17 in the world, is currently waiting to see if he advances to the semi-finals.

Even after his brilliant performance against Zhou, a tired O’Sullivan was uncharacteristically negative in his post-match analysis. He played all the hits, claimed he was cueing poorly, declared he hated playing, and even made a retirement threat.

“I’m unable to comprehend it,” O’Sullivan remarked. I need to give it some serious thought as to whether I can continue to feel this way. It’s difficult labor, I have no idea where the balls are going, and I’m not enjoying it—it’s guessing and a battle. The worst part is that I’m emerging victorious in tournaments! Making a choice would be simpler if I were losing. At minimum, I need a break. I’m not feeling fulfilled by it. I would rather cue poorly and win tournaments than cue brilliantly and lose.

As he advances in the World Grand Prix, “The Rocket” and Carter are locked in a verbal sparring match. Carter accused O’Sullivan, 48, of snotting on the Ally Pally arena floor during the Masters final. O’Sullivan responded with an incredible tirade, calling Carter “a f****** nightmare” and advising him to “sort his f****** life out” and “see a counsellor.” Watch the entire World Grand Prix action below:

0-0 Ronnie O’Sullivan Wilson Gary
Great lengthy pot by Gary Wilson, with the roll-up behind the brown and a red cut into the left corner because to a lack of color. Wilson cracks the jaws with a hard pot with the remaining, but O’Sullivan’s roll-up into the reds leaves a pot to the right corner.

Both players wait for the next opportunity while engaging in a safety struggle. This week, O’Sullivan has been playing extremely attacking snooker and hasn’t bothered to be too cautious, but he clamps down now. When he’s focused, he’s a world-class safety player, and he seems focused today.

0-0 Ronnie O’Sullivan Wilson Gary
Ronnie O’Sullivan promptly pots the opening red to the right corner as it struggles in off both jaws after Gary Wilson breaks off.

Even though he expressed disapproval after the game, O’Sullivan performed admirably yesterday. Early in the break, he encounters a difficult mid-range red and manages to bring it to the right corner, but the attempt to land the cannon on the black is unsuccessful.

With the break on 13 and coming off a cushion to try and play the green, he’ll just have to play it carefully. The early score is 13-8 because he misses it a few times before a terrific hit.

Gary Wilson vs. Ronnie O’Sullivan
Here we are in Leicester, about to begin. Gary Wilson has a 3-1 head-to-head record against Ronnie O’Sullivan, but Wilson did prevail 4-3 in their most recent meeting at the 2022 Scottish Open.

Just before Christmas, Wilson went on to win that competition and hold the title. He can defeat anyone in the world when he is confident.

Ronnie O’Sullivan versus Gary Wilson
We are in Leicester now, ready to get started. Gary Wilson has a 3-1 head-to-head record against Ronnie O’Sullivan, but Wilson did won 4-3 in their most recent meeting at the 2022 Scottish Open.

Wilson went on to win that tournament and retain the title just before Christmas. When he is confident, he can overcome anyone in the world.

A snooker tournament in Saudi Arabia will include a potential 167 break and a 20-point golden ball.
A 20-point golden ball will be added to the World Snooker Tour tournament in Saudi Arabia, giving players the chance to complete a 167 break. This will be the event’s unique twist.

The rules will remain the same, but to increase the total number of players to 147, there will be an additional ball called the “Riyadh Season ball” for those who are taking a maximum break.

It’s unclear if the ball will be presented after a 147 break or if it will be available on the table the entire time.

Furthermore, it was unclear if striking it too soon would result in a penalty.

Over the course of three days from March 4–6, the event will feature seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who has recently gained attention due to his conflict with Ali Carter, 2019 winner Judd Trump, and current champion Luca Brecel.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s prospects of winning the World Championship are discussed by Stephen Hendry.
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s chances of completing the grand slam this season by winning the World Championship in addition to the Masters and UK Championship have been discussed by seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry on the WST podcast.

Ali Carter and Ronnie O’Sullivan’s chance for a repeat in Leicester is ended by Mark Selby
Ali Carter, who lost to Mark Selby in the World Grand Prix this week, will not be facing Ronnie O’Sullivan again.

Following O’Sullivan’s triumph in the Masters final on Sunday, both players—Carter and O’Sullivan—have gotten into a nasty verbal exchange, with O’Sullivan claiming the other has mental health problems.

Carter lost a final-frame thriller to Selby, falling 4-3 in the last 16, and they are both playing in Leicester this week. Originally, they were supposed to meet in another final.

With a break of 103 to tie the match at 3-3, Carter appeared to be in the lead heading into the final.

However, Selby performed admirably when it counted, making a solid 77 to move on to his hometown’s quarterfinals.

Ronnie O’Sullivan attacks Ali Carter in an outrageous, profanity-filled tirade.
When Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter rekindled their rivalry after the Masters final, O’Sullivan went on an incredible, profanity-filled tirade against Carter.

After rallying from a 3-6 deficit at Alexandra Palace to win a dramatic 10-7 and tie the tournament record for the oldest winner, the Rocket won his ninth championship on Sunday. But after the match, the two have started a verbal sparring match, reopening old wounds from their infamous altercation at the 2018 World Championship where both players bumped against one other.

Carter also accused O’Sullivan of snotting on the floor during the final, calling the Alexandra Palace crowd “morons” for their actions.

However, O’Sullivan has now retaliated, telling Carter in an incredible outburst that he has to “sort his f*****g life out.”

“I refuse to avoid it any longer, tread carefully near someone of that caliber. “He’s an absolute nightmare,” the 48-year-old went on. It’s a nightmare to play snooker against someone like him. He is not a kind individual. He leaves a bad impression on everyone at the table. I don’t give a damn; I’ve said what I had to say. I’m done saying it now.

You and everyone else are aware of his personality. He has problems. Why is he having problems with me, f*****g? I refuse to accept it. Grow some balls, it doesn’t matter.

“About any of these snooker guys, I don’t give a f*** about them at all. Every time he gets on my nerves, I f***ing punish him more. All he’s doing is making a hole for himself. I could care less. That concludes my statement.