Ronnie O’Sullivan crashed out in the first round of the UK Championship on Tuesday as he was beaten by qualifier Zhou Yuelong at York Barbican.
The eight-time winner of the competition was defeated 6-4 on his first match at a UK tournament since the semi-finals of the World Championship back in May.
That day at the Crucible, he lost 17-7 to Zhao Xintong.
Now, the 49-year-old O’Sullivan, who celebrates his 50th birthday on Friday, has been ousted at the first hurdle, despite racking up quick-fire breaks of 71, 123, 62, 94, 65 and 65.
He was beaten in four frames on the black, and he threw away a 64-0 lead in the seventh, pipped by a single point.
Zhou’s 125 won him the eighth, where he was in touching victory of securing a seismic upset, but the ‘Rocket’ roared back to keep in close contention.
Zhou, the world No29, however, capitalised on O’Sullivan’s mistake from the yellow to green to earn the biggest victory of his career, and a maiden scalp of the greatest ever.
"He played better,” O’Sullivan said afterwards.
“I missed a lot and some bad, basic mistakes. Defeat is defeat. He deserved his victory. You just have to accept it. It is part of being a professional sportsman."
The Rocket was also asked if he had made a decision on whether he would play at the Masters, which takes place in January.
"No, not really,” he replied.
“I will have a nice Christmas and see how I feel in January."
Zhou reflected on his superb shot on the green as he looked back at his famous victory.
"That shot I practise every day [on the green],” he said.
“Two years before I lost in a decider in the quarter-final to Ronnie. I have been prepared for this but I got lucky that he snookered himself.
"The shot on the black with a big kick he looked like he was going to win the frame but it turned around. Everyone knows if you keep working hard you can win big trophies.
"Two months ago I saw Jack [Lisowski] win. I have lost many times, I know there will be one coming soon. I am just trying to be patient.
"I need to prove this mentally. Now I am just trying to learn from Zhou Xintong and relax. He gave me a lot of advice."
