Ronnie O'Sullivan crashed out of the 2025 UK Championship with a 6-4 loss to Zhou Yuelong at the Barbican Centre in York.
What happened?
Ronnie O'Sullivan's quest for a record-extending ninth UK Championship title ended at the first hurdle as he was beaten by an impressive Zhou Yuelong performance.
Zhou had lost all seven of his previous encounters to the snooker legend but established an early 2-0 lead and then never trailed.
Why it matters for Ronnie O'Sullivan
The defeat continues a frustrating season for the seven-time world champion and extends a ranking event drought that goes back to January 2024.
Ronnie 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.
What comes next?
Zhou Yuelong will now face four-time world champion Mark Selby in the last 16 after he downed Lei Peifan 6-2 on the other table.
Ronnie O'Sullivan said he didn't give Zhou much of a fight and made too many bad mistakes.
And the Chinese star was understandably pleased after getting over the line, saying he was happy to have beaten Ronnie O'Sullivan for the first time in his career.
The Chinese cueman made a glorious break of 125 to move 5-3 ahead and held his composure to come from behind and snatch the win.
On 2 December, Kyren Wilson will face rising talent Elliot Slessor and last year's finalist Barry Hawkins will also be in action.
Ronnie O'Sullivan will have to wait until January to try and end his ranking event drought.
The 2025 UK Championship will continue with the last 32 matches, and the full last-16 line-up will be known soon.
Zhou Yuelong's win over Ronnie O'Sullivan was a shock defeat for the snooker legend, but the Chinese star played better and deserved the win.
Ronnie O'Sullivan finished the match with a disappointing performance, and his fans will be hoping he can bounce back soon.