Rocket’s Fall from Grace: Xiao Guodong Shocks Ronnie O’Sullivan in World Grand Prix Upset
In a stunning turn of events at the World Grand Prix, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s run came to an abrupt end as he was defeated 5-3 by Xiao Guodong in the Round of 16. The match, held in Hong Kong, saw the once-unbeatable “Rocket” falter against a determined and quietly rising Chinese star. Guodong, who many feel has been criminally underrated throughout his career, displayed a level of skill and composure that kept O’Sullivan on the back foot for much of the contest.
From the outset, it was clear that O’Sullivan, despite his years of experience and natural flair, was struggling to find his rhythm. There was no denying the drop in his consistency—his break-building wasn’t as sharp, and his usual relentless precision was missing. While Guodong took full advantage, capitalizing on any mistakes and maintaining his focus, O’Sullivan appeared to be fighting a losing battle, not just against his opponent but against the inexorable march of time.
The loss, which knocks O’Sullivan out of the tournament early, has reignited debates about the future of the 38-year-old legend. As one fan, Alan Foz, pointed out: “Guodong is underrated, but Ronnie’s age and lack of match time are clearly catching up with him. He doesn’t seem to have the same spark, and it’s hard to ignore that consistency issues are creeping in.” While it’s still too soon to write O’Sullivan off entirely, many are starting to wonder if the dream of an eighth World Championship might now be slipping further from his grasp.
As Guodong progresses to the quarter-finals, the snooker world is left pondering whether this is the beginning of a new era, with rising stars like Guodong ready to claim the mantle, while O’Sullivan, once untouchable, faces the inevitable decline of age and competition.
