Barry Hawkins defeats Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 2024 UK Championship, delivering a stunning 6-4 victory over the eight-time champion. This unexpected result marks a career highlight for Hawkins and sets the tone for an exciting tournament.
Hawkins displayed exceptional skill and composure at the York Barbican, recovering from a 3-1 and 4-2 deficit to seal the match with four consecutive frames. “It’s a massive win,” Hawkins said, calling it one of the best victories of his career.
A Well-Fought Battle
The match began with O’Sullivan in dominant form, recording two century breaks of 128 and 114 in the first four frames. However, Hawkins capitalized on O’Sullivan’s errors, amassing over 290 unanswered points in a remarkable comeback. The 45-year-old Englishman credited his aggressive approach and newfound confidence for the result.
“It has been so many times where I’ve been on the brink against Ronnie but crumbled,” Hawkins admitted. “Today, I stayed strong, and it paid off.”
O’Sullivan, gracious in defeat, praised Hawkins’ performance. “Barry played a good match and deserved his win. I’m just enjoying playing and looking forward to the next event,” said the 48-year-old legend.
Murphy Advances as Zhao Returns
Elsewhere, former world and UK champion Shaun Murphy edged past Zhao Xintong with a tense 6-5 victory. Zhao, who returned after a 20-month ban due to a corruption scandal, showcased resilience but ultimately fell short.
Murphy, reflecting on his performance, said, “It wasn’t straightforward, but I’m thrilled to get through. It’s been 10 years since I’ve won a major, and I’m determined to change that.”
Zhao’s return adds intrigue to the tournament, with the 2021 UK Champion aiming to rebuild his career following his suspension.
Looking Ahead
Barry Hawkins will face David Gilbert in the last 16 after Gilbert overcame 16th seed Xiao Guodong 6-4. Shaun Murphy will meet three-time UK champion Ding Junhui, who survived a thrilling 6-5 encounter against Robert Milkins.
For further updates on the 2024 UK Championship, visit BBC. Explore other snooker highlights at Eurasia Sports.
