Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘has just bitten his cue tip off!’ – Star’s frustrated reaction in English Open loss to Zhang Anda

Ronnie O’Sullivan is out of the English Open and will have to replace his cue tip after removing it with his teeth during the defeat to Zhang Anda on Thursday night.

The turning point in the match came at the beginning of the fourth frame when some movement in the crowd upset O’Sullivan, who told referee Ben Williams that it looked like a sponsored walk was taking place in the arena.

Subsequently, O’Sullivan lost his composure as Zhang capitalised with a break of 97. A frustrated O’Sullivan then watched as the underdog claimed the next two frames to wrap up an impressive victory.

But before the conclusion of the match, O’Sullivan had already forcibly removed his cue tip.

“O’Sullivan has just bitten his cue tip off!” exclaimed Philip Studd on commentary for Eurosport.

“He had made noises about replacing it in the near future anyway.”

Studd added: “But tonight is Zhang Anda’s night, what a performance.

“He would rate this as his best ever performance given the opponent, given the fact that he’s on television and matching his best ranking performance. It’s hard to imagine that he’s played better than this.”

O’Sullivan is expected to be back in competitive action in the Wuhan Open, which will be the first ranking event held in mainland China since Judd Trump won the World Open in November 2019.

He faces veteran Ken Doherty in the opening round. The event takes place from October 9-15.