Ronnie O'Sullivan set to take trip down memory lane at 6 Red World Championship, Thailand's 'biggest ever' snooker event

24.02.2023 - 22:51 eurosport.com

World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to enjoy a potting blast from the past when he travels to Pathum Thani in Thailand for the 6 Red World Championship next month.

The snooker GOAT is among the favourites alongside Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen and Mark Williams for the prestigious King's trophy and £100,000 first prize in the 32-man invitational event (6-11 March) staged for the first time since the global pandemic struck in 2020.

Ad O'Sullivan has been drawn in Group H alongside Jimmy Robertson, World Snooker Federation junior champion Stan Moody and local Thai favourite James Wattana at the 3,600-seat Convention Centre of Thammasat University's Rangsit campus.

Tour ChampionshipO'Sullivan, Robertson and Williams face uphill battle to qualify for Tour Championship22/02/2023 AT 09:37 «It will be the biggest ever snooker tournament to have been held in Thailand,» said Suntorn Jarumon, Billiard Sports Association of Thailand president.

Sporting billiards Mark Williams Mark Selby Ronnie Osullivan Jimmy Robertson Shaun Murphy Mark Allen Judd Trump Belgium China Shanghai Thailand

World junior champion Stan Moody is set to enjoy an early taste of the snooker big time when he begins his first crack at the Crucible next month. 16-year-old Moody secured his professional tour card for next season with a 5-1 victory over Liam Pullen in the World Snooker Federation junior final before losing 5-0 to China's Ma Hai Long a week later in the senior version, but will continue his development by making his debut in the sport's blue-chip event. Ad The Halifax wonderkid has been invited to compete at the English Institute of Sport with 15 other leading amateurs as qualifying begins (3-12 April) for the 47th World Championship (LIVE on Eurosport and discovery+).

Ding Junhui holds off Thepchaiya Un-Nooh challenge to claim second Six Red World Snooker Championship

Ding Junhui held his nerve superbly to secure a second Six Red World Championship with an 8-6 victory over home favourite Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in Bangkok. The Chinese sporting icon lifted the trophy in 2016 with a last-gasp 8-7 win over Stuart Bingham, but dominated the 14th frame before a vociferous home crown to avoid being forced to another final-frame decider.

Home favourite Thepchaiya Un-Nooh to meet Ding Junhui in Six Red final

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh rallied from 5-2 and 6-4 down to beat Hossein Vafaei 7-6 and set up a final against Ding Junhui at the Six Red World Championship final in Bangkok.

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh wins epic with Hossein Vafaei to set up Ding Junhui final clash at Six Red World Snooker Championship

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh battled back from 5-2 and 6-4 behind to edge out Hossein Vafaei 7-6 and reach the Six Red World Championship final in Bangkok. The popular Thai speed merchant had to display fortitude as much as flair in a thrilling semi-final that saw Vafaei miss a tricky pink to the green pocket in the penultimate frame that would have sealed a 7-5 victory.

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh wins thriller with Hossein Vafaei to reach Six Red World Snooker Championship final

Hossein Vafaei capitalises on Judd Trump match ball miss to take dramatic win in Six Red World Championship quarter-finals

Judd Trump missed a match ball as Hossein Vafaei clinched a dramatic 6-5 victory in the quarter-finals of the Six Red World Championship in Thailand.