Un-Nooh Stuns O’Sullivan with 147 Break and Triple Centuries
In a breathtaking display of potting prowess, Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh delivered a snooker performance for the ages, firing in a maximum 147 break and three consecutive centuries to defeat the legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-7 in the World Open final. The unheralded 41st seed, who had already toppled world number one Judd Trump in the semi-finals, fought back from a daunting 4-0 deficit to overcome arguably the sport’s greatest ever player in a truly epic final.
A Comeback for the Ages
O’Sullivan, seeking his 42nd ranking title and first since January, had started the match in formidable fashion, reeling off the opening four frames with a fluent 124 break. The 50-year-old Englishman, who had recorded the sport’s highest break of 153 en route to his 66th ranking final, appeared to be back to his dominant best. However, the 40-year-old Un-Nooh, whose sole previous title was the 2019 Shoot Out, refused to be intimidated. He responded with a stunning run of six consecutive frames, punctuated by scoring surges that included five breaks over 50, completely turning the tide of the match.
Centuries Fly as Un-Nooh Seals Historic Victory
The match then escalated into a showcase of elite snooker. O’Sullivan battled back with three successive century breaks – 114, 116, and 136 – to momentarily regain the lead. Yet, Un-Nooh’s nerve held firm. He leveled the scores with a composed 77 break, before unleashing an unbelievable burst of scoring that cemented his historic win. His opponent’s resilience was matched by his own explosive scoring, which saw him rack up breaks of 132 and 131, sandwiching the nerveless 147 in the penultimate frame, providing a truly unforgettable climax to the tournament.
The sensational victory earned Un-Nooh a handsome £175,000 purse, a significant reward in a season where he hadn’t previously progressed beyond the last 16 in any other tournament. A gracious O’Sullivan, who secured £75,000 for his highest break, acknowledged the brilliance of his opponent. “I just want to say well done to Thepchaiya who played unbelievable snooker,” he told the Yushan crowd. “He gave me a good hiding, really.” Un-Nooh’s triumph signals a significant shift in the snooker landscape, leaving fans eager to see if he can build on this monumental success.
