UK Championship: Barry Hawkins defeats eight-time UK champion Ronnie O’Sullivan
Eight-time UK champion Ronnie O’Sullivan was knocked out on the opening day of the 2024 event, losing 6-4 against world number 20 Barry Hawkins.
O’Sullivan led 3-1 and 4-2 at the York Barbican before Hawkins, who had only won two of the pair’s previous 20 meetings, played some superb snooker to complete a shock win.
Top seed O’Sullivan started well as he recorded century breaks of 128 and 114 and won three of the opening four frames in a packed arena.
Hawkins took the first frame after the mid-session interval, with O’Sullivan then showing his frustration as he hit the table with his fist following a missed red into the middle pocket.
O’Sullivan then just had to sit and watch as Hawkins scored more than 290 unanswered points and won four frames in a row on his way to clinching a memorable victory.
Hawkins led 60-0 in the 10th frame but O’Sullivan got one last chance, although he could not fight back and save the match.
“Barry played a good match and deserved his win, so I have to give all the credit to him,” said O’Sullivan. “He played well, was solid and took his chances.
“I’m just enjoying playing, that’s the important thing. I try to not look back on it and on to whatever the next event is.”
More to follow.
