bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan suffered a stunning defeat when he was beaten by amateur James Cahill in the first round of the World Championship on Tuesday.
In one of the biggest upsets in snooker history, Cahill beat five-time world champion O’Sullivan 10-8 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Not since 2003 had O’Sullivan lost in the first round of the World Championship.
O’Sullivan, the current world number one, had been in fine form heading into the world championship after winning five tournaments this season, compiling his 1,000th career century en route to victory in the Players Championship.


But, speaking to the BBC, O’Sullivan said his “limbs felt heavy” and he “had no energy”.
“I felt horrendous,” he added. “I was struggling to stay awake.
I have always believed in myself and that I can beat anyone on my day. I want to show what I can do now
James Cahill
“I haven’t felt great for a few weeks and I have not slept brilliantly the past couple of nights ... If you are not 100 per cent it will make it harder.”
“I tried to hang in there and get through and have a few days off,” added O’Sullivan, last crowned world champion in 2013.

O’Sullivan, however, paid tribute to Cahill by saying: “He did well. He held himself together. It’s been a very successful season for me, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
Meanwhile an elated Cahill said: “I could barely stand up at the end. I scored a good pressure 70 to go 6-5 up and after that I felt like he was the one under pressure. He didn’t want to lose to me.”
The 23-year-old Cahill, who lost his professional status in 2017 but has since won back his two-year tour card from next season, added: “I am not really sure what to say.
“I have always believed in myself and that I can beat anyone on my day. I want to show what I can do now.”

Cahill established a 5-4 overnight lead in this all-English contest which he extended to 8-5 after the match resumed on Tuesday.
O’Sullivan pulled back to 8-8 with the aid of breaks of 104 and 89.
But the “Rocket” missed a chance to take the 17th frame, leaving Cahill 9-8 in front.
O’Sullivan, 43, also had the opportunity to take the match to a final-frame decider, but he inadvertently potted a red when breaking the pack open from the blue.
Cahill made the most of an unexpected chance by holding his nerve with a break of 53 that saw him into a second-round match against Scotland’s Stephen Maguire.


World Snooker Championship to stay at Crucible until at least 2045 with redevelopment

Ronnie O’Sullivan makes snooker history with highest-ever break of 153 in China

Zhao Xintong attributes surge in form to mental toughness after Players Championship win

Superstitious Chinese snooker star Zhao Xintong betting on white to keep hot streak going

World Snooker

Ronnie O’Sullivan out of World Championship after being stunned by amateur in Crucible’s biggest ever upset

Ronnie O’Sullivan was far from his best in his shocking first round loss to James Cahill in the first round of the World Championship. Photo: Xinhua

(190423) -- SHEFFIELD, April 23, 2019 (Xinhua) -- England's James Cahill celebrates after winning the first round match against England's Ronnie O'Sullivan at the World Snooker Championship 2019 in Sheffield, Britain on April 23, 2019. (Xinhua/Craig Brough)

(190423) -- SHEFFIELD, April 23, 2019 (Xinhua) -- England's James Cahill (R) shakes hands with England's Ronnie O'Sullivan after winning the first round match at the World Snooker Championship 2019 in Sheffield, Britain on April 23, 2019. O'Sullivan lost 8-10. (Xinhua/Craig Brough)

Sport

Other Sport

James Cahill, 23, dumps out former world No 1
O’Sullivan out at first stage for first time since 2003


James Cahill, 23, dumps out former world No 1


Ronnie O’Sullivan out of World Championship after being stunned by amateur in Crucible’s biggest ever upset

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}James Cahill, 23, dumps out former world No 1 O’Sullivan out at first stage for first time since 2003

James Cahill, 23, dumps out former world No 1

O’Sullivan out at first stage for first time since 2003