Hossein Vafaei was victorious in the latest instalment of his rivalry with Ronnie O’Sullivan, prevailing 5-4 in the last 16 of the Huading Nylon World Open in Yushan.
Victory keeps his hopes of qualifying for the Johnstone’s Paint Tour Championship alive. Only the top 12 players of the season earn a place in the prestigious event. Vafaei must make the semi-finals to edge above John Higgins into 12th spot.
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Regardless of today’s defeat, O’Sullivan will head into the Tour Championship as world number one. It will mean he has been on top of the world rankings for two years when the event gets underway on April 1st, his longest ever unbroken spell at the summit.
Vafaei and O’Sullivan have had a chequered history in meetings with each other. That started when O’Sullivan blasted open the pack when breaking off during 2022 German Masters qualifying, a match which Vafaei won 5-0.
The Iranian took offence and reciprocated the act in a meeting at the World Championship last year, but that backfired and O’Sullivan crushed him 13-2. Afterwards they warmly embraced as they left the arena.
There was never more than a frame between them in this afternoon’s tightly contested encounter. With Vafaei leading 4-3 and one from victory, O’Sullivan fired in a sublime 125 to force the final frame.
Vafaei had the first opportunity in the decider, but inexplicably missed a straightforward red to the top pocket on 33. O’Sullivan countered with a break of 62, but fell out of position ahead of the final red.
It came down to the colours, with Vafaei needing them all to steal a famous victory by a single point. He did just that, depositing the black along the top cushion to clinch his place in the last eight. Next up he faces either Ding Junhui or Shaun Murphy.
“I feel great, but to be honest with you I’m still shocked how I missed that red. I went down so quick that my eyes couldn’t see anywhere. That was unforgivable. All of a sudden the game changed and I thought I was going to lose,” said 29-year-old Vafaei.
“I’m very happy to get the victory. He is my hero. Just playing against Ronnie O’Sullivan is a dream come true, but what about winning?
“I’m not going to talk about past results, all that matters is the moment right now. The past is past and right now I’m so happy.”
Kyren Wilson came through a high quality clash with Ben Woollaston 5-4. The Warrior dug deep in the final frame to summon a superb break of 119.
That sets up a quarter-final showdown with world number two Judd Trump. The Ace in the Pack booked his progression with a 5-3 win over former World Seniors Champion David Lilley.
Barry Hawkins sealed his last eight slot with a 5-1 defeat of Stephen Maguire. The Hawk fired in runs of 129, 67, 71 and 54 on his way to victory and now awaits Neil Robertson or Chris Wakelin.