Ronnie O’Sullivan’s quest for a record-extending ninth UK Championship title ended at the first hurdle as he was beaten 6-4 by an impressive Zhou Yuelong performance in York.
Zhou had lost all seven of his previous encounters to the snooker legend but established an early 2-0 lead at the Barbican Centre and then never trailed before falling over the line in frame 10 thanks to a lovely long pot on the green and subsequent mini-clearance.
The Chinese star made a glorious break of 125 to move 5-3 ahead but five other frame wins all came by holding his composure and coming from behind with an impressive clearance to snatch it out of O’Sullivan’s hands and will now face four-time world champion Mark Selby in the last 16 after he downed Lei Peifan 6-2 on the other table.
O’Sullivan had been trying to extend his own record-breaking tally of eight UK Championship titles, the last of which came back in 2023 by beating Ding Junhui in the final, when he also became the oldest winner in the tournament’s history at the age of 47 and 363 days, having set the mark as the youngest winner 30 years prior when he claimed the 1993 edition as a fresh-faced teenager. However, defeat continues a frustrating season for the seven-time world champion and extends a ranking event drought that goes back to January 2024.
Relive Ronnie O’Sullivan v Zhou Yuelong with our live blog below:
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Zhou Yuelong - live updates
- Ronnie O'Sullivan crashes out of the 2025 UK Championship with a 6-4 loss to Zhou Yuelong
- Zhou records a first-ever win over O'Sullivan at the eighth time of asking and will play Mark Selby in the last 16
- Final score: Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-6 Zhou Yuelong
Tonight's schedule
17:15 , Luke BakerSo, just two matches left in the last 32 and then we’ll know the full last-16 line-up.
A couple of intriguing clashes this evening in York as 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson faces rising talent Elliot Slessor and last year’s finalist Barry Hawkins is also in action
Tuesday 2 December
Last 32
19:00
Kyren Wilson v Elliot Slessor
Barry Hawkins v David Lilley
Zhou Yuelong delighted to end Ronnie hoodoo
17:05 , Luke BakerEighth time lucky for Zhou Yuelong - beating Ronnie O’Sullivan after seven straight defeats to him.
And the Chinese cueman was understandably pleased after getting over the line.
“I’m happy because it’s the first time in my career I've beaten Ronnie,” Zhou told BBC Two. “I’ve played him lots of times but never won.
“I was nervous to play but then I was calm, had some great safety and scored well.
“I can't believe it. I practise that shot every day [the final green]. Two years before I lost in a decider in the quarter-final to Ronnie. When I made a mess of the yellow, I prepared for a decider 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.”
Ronnie O'Sullivan disappointed in defeat
16:54 , Luke BakerA brief interview with Ronnie O’Sullivan after his defeat and he wasn’t pleased with his performance today.
“He played better than me,” said O’Sullivan. “I didn't give him much of a fight and I made too many bad mistakes.”
“Defeat is defeat. I just accept it's part of beinga professional sportsman.
“I’ll have a nice Christmas, enjoy that and see how I feel come January.”
Not Ronnie O'Sullivan's day
16:39 , Luke BakerWell, it wasn’t to be for Ronnie O’Sullivan today. He didn’t play badly but Zhou Yuelong made one superb century then held his nerve to pinch five other frames with clearances of various sizes. Superb composure from the Chinese star.
The Rocket’s quest to win a ninth UK title will have to wait for another year though.
RESULT! Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-6 Zhou Yuelong - ZHOU BEATS O'SULLIVAN
16:29 , Luke BakerHE’S DONE IT! ZHOU YUELONG CLEARS THE REMAINING COLOURS AND BEATS RONNIE O’SULLIVAN 6-4.
In seven previous meetings between the pair, O’Sullivan had won all seven but Zhou finally triumphs! A superb performance and a fully-deserved win.
The eight-time UK champion is out! Zhou goes through to face Mark Selby in the last 16. What a result.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhou Yuelong
16:27 , Luke BakerZhou can’t see the potting angle of the yellow so has to play safe but that is dismal! He’s stuck the yellow up for O’Sullivan. Awful shot.
But that’s equally poor from Ronnie. Pits the yellow and snookers himself on the green. What is going on here?!
58-46 to O’Sullivan but Zhou has a look at a long pot on the green. CLASS! He’s nailed it. Can he clear up for the victory?
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhou Yuelong
16:25 , Luke BakerO’Sullivan catches and passes Zhou’s score with one red left on the table. All their colours are on their spots and this should be it.
But he flicks the brown ball when playing from the final blue to yellow! That runs him out of position and he misses the thin cut pot! O’Sullivan leads 56-46 with just the colours left but he hasn’t killed this off.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhou Yuelong
16:23 , Luke BakerThe reds are all there in the middle of the table for O’Sullivan, bar one towards the right cushion.
And he decides to take the difficult red when on 19. IT’S THERE! Heart of the pocket. Both players have a missed a few to the tight corners today but that was never anywhere but in.
This is a golden chance to force a decider now
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhou Yuelong
16:21 , Luke BakerGood pot on the pink but Zhou has to bring the white all around the angles. He’s only left with a potential two-red plant to keep the break going...
AND HE MISSES! It drifts wide and the red has stayed over the pocket. Zhou leads 46-0 but O’Sullivan comes back to the table and can counter here. He’s clinging on.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhou Yuelong
16:19 , Luke BakerZhou breaks down on 13 initially but gets back in, in what he hopes will be the final frame.
Big applause as he lances a mid-range red into the heart of the pocket to keep the break going. His lead has reached 40 points...
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-5 Zhou Yuelong - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME NINE
16:10 , Luke BakerGreat long pot on the green from O’Sullivan and that finally gets him over the line.
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN WINS FRAME NINE TO NARROW THE DEFICIT TO 5-4.
He needed to win each of the last three frames to pinch this match and that’s the first one. Two more to go...
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-5 Zhou Yuelong
16:06 , Luke BakerO’Sullivan gets Zhou into a snooker and he misses the yellow. He leaves a free ball, so Ronnie pockets the extra two points and Zhou now needs two snookers.
This frame should belong to O’Sullivan barring shenanigans
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-5 Zhou Yuelong
16:04 , Luke BakerZhou is left with a really tricky yellow down the left cushion and it’s not there. Time for a safety battle. Zhou trailing 65-39, by 26 points with 27 remaining.
Can Ronnie win this frame?
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-5 Zhou Yuelong
16:01 , Luke BakerA HUGE MOMENT! Zhou has O’Sullivan snookered in behind the yellow and although The Rocket clips the red, the cueball ends up in the pocket.
Four penalty points to Zhou and he can now win the frame if he completes the clearance here! What a chance.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-5 Zhou Yuelong
15:59 , Luke BakerO’Sullivan looks focussed here and builds an impressive break, sweeping up the loose reds.
He eventually breaks down on 65 as he misses a tricky red down the right cushion which stays in the jaws. But Zhou needs a snooker, with 43 points remaining and him trailing by 44.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-5 Zhou Yuelong
15:54 , Luke BakerZhou gets back in and it’s a workmanlike break as he pulls out a couple of long reds but he misses after scoring 20.
He leads 21-0 but O’Sullivan finds a red to left middle and will have a chance to hit back here.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-5 Zhou Yuelong
15:48 , Luke BakerNo margin for error for O’Sullivan any more at one frame away from defeat. Zhou with an early red in frame nine but no colour to follow, so no real damage done
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-5 Zhou Yuelong - ZHOU WINS FRAME EIGHT
15:44 , Luke BakerA first century of the day for Zhou Yuelong and he clears the table with a superb clearance of 125.
He’s on the brink here in York, O’Sullivan in all sorts of bother
ZHOU YUELONG WINS FRAME EIGHT AND HE’S WITHIN ONE OF A FIRST-EVER VICTORY OVER RONNIE O’SULLIVAN.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-4 Zhou Yuelong
15:40 , Luke BakerThis is impressive from Zhou. It’s not the easiest table but he pulls out a few impressive pots and builds the break beyond 30, 40, 50.
The winning line is within sight and he passes it. The break moves beyond 70 and O’Sullivan will need snookers. Zhou is going to move within one frame of victory...
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-4 Zhou Yuelong
15:33 , Luke BakerGood long red by Zhou to begin frame eight and holds for the black. The reds are nicely spread for a good contribution here.
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-4 Zhou Yuelong - ZHOU WINS FRAME SEVEN
15:30 , Luke BakerSuperb! Zhou completes the clearance and this is the fourth frame that he’s won by making a clearance from behind. So gutsy from the Chinese cueman.
ZHOU YUELONG WINS FRAME SEVEN TO LEAD 4-3.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou Yuelong
15:28 , Luke BakerTHE DRAMA! Ronnie makes a total horlicks of an attempted safety shot and cuts the yellow right over the corner pocket!
But Zhou is snookered behind the pink. He’s able to swerve around it and pot the yellow but he’s miles away from the green...
INCREDIBLE POT! Cuts it into the top corner pocket and he’s on the brown. The steal is on.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou Yuelong
15:27 , Luke BakerOoooh, Zhou has come up slightly short ont he yellow. This is a tricky pot with the rest now... AND HE MISSES!
Has narrowed the gap to 64-38 but that was a golden opportunity to win the frame. The good news is, the yellow has run safe after the miss, so no chance of the pot for O’Sullivan. A safety battle on the yellow instead.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou Yuelong
15:25 , Luke BakerZhou does well to get the black back on its spot early in the break. It had gone up into the baulk area but a good long pot and he still gets position on the next red.
He can afford to take a couple of pinks, which he does but his margin for error has gone. The final two reds with both require blacks for him to be able to win the frame.
All about this final red, down the right cushion... The pockets are so tight. GREAT POT! And out for the black. Pot the black, clear the colours and it will be ANOTHER steal for the Chinese star.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou Yuelong
15:21 , Luke BakerBut then a miss! Gets a huge kick trying to pot the black to the right corner. It was frame ball but it leaps up off the table bed and moves to the right, hitting the jaw.
He’s got a 64-point lead with 67 points still available. It’s a big ask for Zhou to turn this frame round but he looked dead and buried a few seconds ago, so at least he’s alive
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou Yuelong
15:19 , Luke BakerO’Sullivan doesn’t look minded to make a mistake second time round and he has the cueball on a string as he steadily racks up the advantage, with the break moving beyond 50 points.
Soon he’s within a couple of pots of leaving Zhou needing snookers
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou Yuelong
15:17 , Luke BakerO’Sullivan straight back in to begin frame seven but he can only make 28 before missing.
Zhou has a chance with a red to left middle but hits the far jaw. That leaves O’Sullivan bang in among them and he can build on his 28-point advantage
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Zhou Yuelong - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME SIX
15:09 , Luke BakerClass by O’Sullivan. In the blink of an eye he’s over the winning line in frame six. No giving Zhou an opportunity for a counter-clearance here!
No century as he breaks down on 94 but a superb break and RONNIE O’SULLIVAN WINS FRAME SIX TO MAKE IT ALL-SQUARE AGAIN.
We’re getting towards the business end now
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-3 Zhou Yuelong
15:04 , Luke BakerA red in the middle of the table, really nicely cut into the left corner by O’Sullivan to begin frame six. Decent scoring chance to open us up here
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-3 Zhou Yuelong - ZHOU WINS FRAME FIVE
15:03 , Luke BakerThat’s really good by Zhou Yuelong. A fabulous clearance - never out of position and doesn’t look like missing.
A break of 62 and ZHOU YUELONG PINCHES FRAME FIVE TO RETAKE THE LEAD
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:57 , Luke BakerOoooh, that’s an unexpected mistake from O’Sullivan, plays the up-and-down safety but the white drops into the corner pocket. The Rocket rubs his chin ruefully.
An easy red to start for Zhou and this is a chance for what would be a huge steal. Not a gimme by any stretch but very doable.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:54 , Luke BakerLeaves himself a thin cut on the black when on 55 and it’s a good pot but the cueball is running away from him and he can’t quite land on the next red.
Has to play safe but in control of this frame at 62-15 ahead.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:53 , Luke BakerClever little cannon to develop three reds from the pack for O’Sullivan as he quickly eliminates his 15-point deficit and he’s rattling along nicely.
Races beyond 50 and he’s really found his rhythm now. This is vintage O’Sullivan.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:51 , Luke BakerZhou in first with a nice long red. But the break is hard work and he misses a very tough black to the right corner with the rest when on 11. It’s gone over the pocket, so that could make this a long safety battle.
Or not! Zhou makes a mess of two consecutive safety shots and the second one is costly as O’Sullivan strokes a long pot into the bottom corner. Opportunity for a really sizeable break here
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:47 , Luke BakerRight, back underway at the Barbican. That interval may have helped Zhou Yuelong - it might have stopped the Ronnie O’Sullivan charge. We’ll see.
On the other table, Mark Selby is putting on an absolute clinic, by the way. He leads Lei Peifan 4-0 at the interval. The winner of these two games play each other in the last 16
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:34 , Luke BakerSo, a 15-minute break now for Zhou Yuelong to regroup and find a way to stop the head of steam that Ronnie O’Sullivan seems to be building.
He’d have taken being level at 2-2 at the interval before the match of course, but it looked so good early on!
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou Yuelong - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME FOUR
14:29 , Luke BakerAnd, quick as a flash, O’Sullivan is back level in this match. He’s racing round the table now and quickly passes the winning line in frame four.
A gorgeous shot to free the final two reds off the right-hand cushion and that should set him up for the century.
It does! A break of 123 up to the pink - just pure class from The Rocket. The 1,313th century break of O’Sullivan’s career.
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN WINS FRAME FOUR and heads to the mid-session interval level at 2-2. From looking in trouble at 2-0 down, he’s got it back level in about 10 minutes. Ominous for Zhou
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:24 , Luke BakerRonnie O’Sullivan might just be getting on a roll here. He’s back in among the ball early in frame four and looks very focussed.
They’re all here for a big break for him
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-2 Zhou Yuelong - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME THREE
14:18 , Luke BakerO’Sullivan playing ultra quick in this break - averaging 11 seconds a shot as he tries to find some rhythm.
It’s pure instinct and suddenly he doesn’t look like missing. A break of 71 up to the brown.
AND RONNIE O’SULLIVAN WINS FRAME THREE TO CLOSE THE GAP TO 2-1! Much, much better from the eight-time UK champion - that should settle him down, although he looks worriedly at the tip of his cue as he goes back to his seat
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:14 , Luke BakerNo real damage done for The Rocket as Zhou immediately miscues to allow him back in. Surely with this second bite of the cherry he’ll kill off the frame?
He rattles through the winning line as his frame score passes 70. This will be the quick win that O’Sullivan needed
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:12 , Luke BakerO’Sullivan looking more composed here, little nudges and cannons keeping the cueball where he needs it.
BUT WHAT’S HAPPENED THERE. He’s potted six reds with six blacks but then a straightforward red to the right middle is missed. Was that a lack of concentration?
O’Sullivan leads 48-0 but looks annoyed with himself
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-2 Zhou Yuelong
14:10 , Luke BakerA safety mistake early from Zhou in frame three. O’Sullivan nicely negotiates the opening red and black to fashion himself an opportunity, cutting a red in to open up the pack.
The reds are nicely set and the black is free. This is a glorious opportunity to make a big break here for The Rocket.
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-2 Zhou Yuelong - ZHOU WINS FRAME TWO
14:08 , Luke BakerGreen to blue sunk with no issue but it’s a tricky pot towards the right rail on the pink... Gently rolled in! Lovely stuff and the black is a formality.
O’Sullivan again had chances in that frame but again Zhou held his nerve to pinch it. ZHOU YUELONG WINS FRAME TWO TO LEAD 2-0!
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-1 Zhou Yuelong
13:51 , Luke BakerZhou held himself together well at the end of a scrappy opening frame there.
He’s straight back in at the start of the second frame with a golden chance at the business end of the table. But he’s up off the shot after trying to pot a pink along the bottom cushion when on 23 and it misses!
But O’Sullivan is really struggling. He scores six point and then misses a black off the spot. The frustration is building and Zhou is back in among the balls.
FRAME! Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-1 Zhou Yuelong - ZHOU WINS THE OPENING FRAME
13:45 , Luke BakerZhou wins the safety battle and pots the final red. A chance to pinch this frame, although the colours aren’t exactly brilliantly set.
He gets to brown, which is on the top cushion, rolls it in nicely! And he’s ok on the blue, with a pot to the green pocket available. It rattles in and HE’S ON THE PINK on the bottom cushion.
Just needs to drop it in to this tight left corner pocket... IT’S THERE! That is a superb little clearance from Zhou Yuelong and he has pinched the opening frame.
How to watch O'Sullivan vs Zhou
12:11 , Luke BakerThe UK Championship began on Saturday 29 November at the Barbican Centre in York, and the final will be played on Sunday 7 December.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will start his campaign in the last 32 against Zhou Yuelong in a best-of-11 match this afternoon, from 1pm GMT.
O’Sullivan vs Zhou is live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
The tournament is also broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK and subscribers can stream the match online via the Discovery+ app.
Everything you need to know about Ronnie O'Sullivan v Zhou Yuelong
12:06 , Luke BakerRonnie O’Sullivan is back on British soil as he goes to York for the UK Championship, one of snooker’s triple crown events.
O’Sullivan sold his Essex home earlier this year and headed for a new life in Dubai but returns to the Barbican Centre today looking to add to his record tally of eight UK Championship titles
China’s Zhou Yuelong stands in his way in his first matchthis afternoon, with old foe Mark Selby a potential opponent in the last 16.
Here’s everything you need to know:
When does Ronnie O’Sullivan play at the UK Championship today?
