Holder Ronnie O’Sullivan knocked out of World Grand Prix after shock defeat to Noppon Saengkham

Holder Ronnie O’Sullivan is out of the World Grand Prix, after losing 4-2 to Noppon Saengkham, who came from two frames down to clinch a memorable victory.

After beating Mark Selby to set up his meeting with the defending champion, Saengkham arrived at the round of 16 with confidence but he was made to be patient with O’Sullivan stepping up and delivering an early break of 25.

Even when he was given a return to the action, Saengkham was left way up the table and O’Sullivan was soon back splitting the pack with so much power his chalk flew out of the pocket of his waistcoat.

Despite a number of careless shots giving Saengkham the chance to counter, the Thai player was unable to capitalise, and O’Sullivan proceeded to empty the table for a 70 and take the first frame.

Momentum was already with the world champion and a break of 53 at the start of the second frame further enhanced that feeling inside Centaur Arena.

However, this time, when given the opportunity to visit the table, Saengkham took his chance to remind O’Sullivan he was not going to give him an easy ride. A break of 52 ended with Saengkham catching the low knuckle of the pocket with the last red on the table.

A game of safety ensued but O’Sullivan, a master in such situations, landed a snooker behind the pink. Despite Saengkham escaping, he left the red open and O’Sullivan mopped up to take a 2-0 lead.

O’Sullivan rattled the jaws of the pocket with a red at the start of the third frame, inviting Saengkham to the table and, this time, he did not let his opportunity slip.

Saengkham struggled to land perfectly on numerous occasions but survived with a number of good recovery pots which helped him reach his half-ton.

By the time he missed the pink to the right middle pocket, a deficit of 68 had been established, and O’Sullivan waved the frame away – meaning Saengkham was well and truly back in the match.

The momentum had changed and after O’Sullivan missed a tough long red at the start of the fourth frame, Saengkham put together a medley of reds and blacks to take the upper hand. However, an awkward red saw the World No.33 surrender the table to O’Sullivan, who uncharacteristically missed a black off its spot.

Saengkham held his nerve to card the necessary score to level the game at 2-2. Quite the recovery from his shaky start and he was on a roll which was leaving O’Sullivan less than comfortable.

The tide had firmly turned in the way of Saengkham and a bad contact on a red to the left of the middle pocket brought an O’Sullivan redemption break to a halt on 16 at the start of the fifth frame.

Saengkham proceeded to play one of the shots of the tournament so far, walloping a red into the bottom left pocket and holding for the black. He was looking unstoppable, and moved to within a frame of a famous victory by clearing the table with a break of 96.

The crowd in Cheltenham wanted more and with the player at the table changing with regularity throughout the fifth frame, shouts of “Come on Ronnie” were heard every time O’Sullivan found himself back in the action.

At 53-40 ahead, O’Sullivan missed the final red on the table and Saengkham stepped up to slam it into the bottom left pocket.

Saengkham tucked away the required colours to seal his first win over O’Sullivan, knocking out the reigning champion to secure his place in the quarter-finals.

Following the defeat, O’Sullivan told ITV, “He (Saengkham) played amazing.”

“I’ve got no complaints, give it my best but it wasn’t good enough on the day.”

There was also success for Cheltenham boy Jack Lisowski.

The home town favourite enjoyed a 4-2 win against Yuelong Zhou.

– –