Ronnie O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson have both opted to miss this week’s Wuhan Open, the third ranking event of the season, following their epic duel at the Saudi Arabia Masters that saw Robertson complete a 10-9 win to earn the £500,000 first prize in Jeddah. Both men have discovered their first opponents for the second Xi’an Grand Prix in October, with Kyren Wilson the defending champion.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan will take on talented 19-year-old Ukrainian Iulian Boiko in the first round of the Xi’an Grand Prix, a ranking tournament he described as having “a beautiful atmosphere” last year.
The seven-time world champion opted out of this week’s Wuhan Open, which begins on Sunday, after his epic 10-9 defeat to Neil Robertson in the final of the Saudi Arabia Masters in Jeddah last Saturday, but is likely to make the return journey to Xi’an in October.
The tournament will be staged between October 7-13, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, with Kyren Wilson defending the trophy after his 10-8 win over world No. 1 Judd Trump in the inaugural final last August.
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Wilson also ended O’Sullivan’s hopes with a 6-4 victory over the seven-time world champion in the semi-finals.
“It has a beautiful atmosphere, you feel as if you’re on a film set. It’s definitely one of my favourite cities,” said O’Sullivan after a 5-0 whitewash win over Wang Yuchen of Hong Kong in the first round.
“I come to China for the food, the culture and the people. If I do well at snooker, that’s a bonus.
“It was a brilliant crowd and atmosphere today, this is probably one of the best tournaments of the season now.”
Wilson’s opening match will also be held at the finals’ venue after the world No. 2 was drawn with Haris Tahir, while Trump will take on former women’s world champion Ng On Yee.
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Robertson will take on rookie Leone Crowley, while world champion Zhao Xintong and three-time Crucible winner Mark Williams will both take on wild cards in their best-of-nine frame tournament openers.
But there will be a qualifying round staged in Leicester’s Mattioli Arena between September 1-3, with Mark Selby drawn with Gong Chenzhi in his first match.
Six-time Crucible finalist Jimmy White will confront Michael Holt for a spot in the last 64 in China, with Shaun Murphy up against Liam Highfield, and John Higgins taking on Liam Pullen.
Meanwhile, recent Shanghai Masters finalist Ali Carter will meet Allan Taylor, with Mark Allen facing Mitchell Mann.
