Ronnie O’Sullivan, a renowned snooker legend, made history by achieving the highest break ever recorded in professional snooker. During a match against Ryan Day at the World Open in Yushan, China, O’Sullivan delivered an exceptional performance, defeating Matthew Selt and Shaun Murphy to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. In a remarkable display of skill, O’Sullivan set a new record by scoring a phenomenal 153 break in the opening frame against Day, surpassing the previous record of 148 held by Jamie Burnett.
The 50-year-old executed a flawless 16-red clearance after receiving a free ball earlier in the frame, seizing the opportunity to clear the table with precision. Although O’Sullivan initially aimed for a maximum of 155, he encountered a slight error on one shot, forcing him to settle for the pink instead of the black ball.
Undeterred, O’Sullivan continued his impressive run by potting the final six colors after reaching 146, ultimately achieving the highest break in professional snooker at 153. Despite losing the frame, Day showed sportsmanship by applauding O’Sullivan’s remarkable feat, leaving both spectators at the venue and worldwide in awe.
This historic accomplishment by O’Sullivan surpasses Burnett’s previous record, set at the UK Championship qualifiers in 2004. Despite a somewhat disappointing season, O’Sullivan’s exceptional performance in the World Open has put him on the brink of securing a spot in the semi-finals as he leads 4-0 against world No.36 Day.