O’Sullivan Dominates Debutant He Guoqiang 10-2, Sets Sights on Record-Eighth World Title
Ronnie O’Sullivan has stormed into the last 16 of the 2026 World Snooker Championship with a commanding 10-2 win over debutant He Guoqiang, demonstrating once again why he is one of the greatest to ever play the game. From the very first frame, O’Sullivan was in complete control, and his opponent never really had a chance to settle into the match.
Having carried a comfortable 7-2 advantage into the Wednesday session, O’Sullivan wasted no time in sealing his victory. It took only around 45 minutes for him to finish the job, playing with a mixture of composure and flair that saw him rattle off a pair of centuries — a 113 and a 100 — both of which were crucial in sealing the match and sending He packing.
Despite a few early missed opportunities — notably a long red at 0-12 in the afternoon session — O’Sullivan was quick to regain control. He Guoqiang had a brief moment of hope when he capitalized on a mistake by the Rocket, but O’Sullivan’s response was immediate. He powered through, showing the full range of his snooker brilliance, from delicate positional play to ruthless break-building.
For a debutant like He, this was a harsh introduction to the Crucible stage, but there were flashes of promise. However, it was O’Sullivan’s experience, sharpness, and mental strength that made this contest a one-sided affair.
With the win, O’Sullivan now sets his sights on a showdown with John Higgins, a fellow member of the “Class of ’92.” The way O’Sullivan played in this match, one has to wonder if his quest for a record-breaking eighth World Championship is becoming an increasingly likely reality. With momentum on his side, O’Sullivan is sending a powerful message to the rest of the field: he is ready, and he’s not slowing down.
