Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Luca Brecel and Mark Allen chase snooker’s world No. 1 spot at International Championship

The International Championship is set to host a frantic four-way battle for the sport’s world No. 1 spot when the seventh ranking event of the 2023/24 season begins in China on Sunday.

Only 80,000 points separate the sport’s four leading men with Shanghai Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan top of the standings on 879,000 points and 2018 International champion Mark Allen in fourth place on 799,000.

World champion Luca Brecel is only 7,500 points behind O’Sullivan on 871,500 points in second spot with Judd Trump occupying third in the world rankings on 869,000 points.

A victory at Tianjin People’s Stadium for any one of the quartet next Sunday would guarantee a winner’s cheque of £175,000 – and the coveted top spot with the runner-up earning £75,000.

English, Wuhan and Northern Ireland Open champion Judd Trump – who was last world No. 1 two years ago – chases a record fourth straight ranking title and is defending the crown he claimed in 2019 with a 10-3 win over Shaun Murphy before the global pandemic struck.

He will face a wild card at the finals venue, with Belgium’s Brecel up against Ahmed Aly Elsayed in his tournament opener on Sunday morning (6:30am UK time).

O’Sullivan begins his quest for a first International Championship title triumph at 11:30am against 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, while UK holder Allen opens up in the last 64 against Oliver Lines (1:30am).

The seven-time world champion O’Sullivan admits he is not motivated by the world rankings in his 31st year on the main professional circuit.

“When I was younger, I wanted it. When you get it, you become used to it and it is normal. It is a shame really, because you lose that hunger and desire.

“There is nothing left for me to achieve in snooker. I wish there was something for me to go for. I’ve achieved more than I could ever imagine and more than any other snooker player on the planet.”

• 1. Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng) 879,000
• 2. Luca Brecel (Bel) 871,500
• 3. Judd Trump (Eng) 869,000
• 4. Mark Allen (NI) 799,000
• 5. Mark Selby (Eng) 606,500