Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan made history by achieving the highest break ever seen in professional snooker, scoring a remarkable 153 against opponent Ryan Day. Competing in the World Open in Yushan, China, O’Sullivan demonstrated exceptional form, securing victories against Matthew Selt and Shaun Murphy to set up a quarter-final clash with Day.
Dubbed ‘The Rocket,’ O’Sullivan set the new record in the opening frame of his match against Day, surpassing the previous record of 148 set by Jamie Burnett. The 50-year-old executed a flawless 16-red clearance after being granted a free ball early in the frame, showcasing his skill by clearing the table with precision.
During his break, O’Sullivan potted the green as the 16th red, coming tantalizingly close to a maximum 155 break. Despite a slight deviation on one shot, he managed to pot the pink, ultimately reaching 146. He then proceeded to pot the final six colors, culminating in a sensational black shot along the top cushion to achieve the record-breaking 153 break.
Although Day acknowledged O’Sullivan’s remarkable achievement with applause, he lost the frame. Commentators and spectators alike were in awe of O’Sullivan’s performance, with Neal Foulds describing it as “mind-blowing.” This feat not only secured O’Sullivan a place in the semi-final but also shattered the previous professional record held by Burnett since 2004.
O’Sullivan’s outstanding performance comes after a relatively disappointing season, but he now leads 4-0 against world No.36 Day, inching closer to a spot in the World Open semi-final.