Ronnie O’Sullivan suffers injury scare ahead of World Championship defence

20.03.2023 - 02:51 breakingnews.ie

Seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan has suffered an injury scare just weeks ahead of the defence of his World Championship title.

O’Sullivan was due to face David Grace in the second round of the World Snooker Tour Classic in Leicester on Sunday evening, but has withdrawn with an elbow injury.

The 47-year-old, who beat Egypt’s Mohamed Ibrahim 4-2 in the first round, wrote on Twitter: “Really disappointed but have had to pull out because of an elbow injury and hope to be back asap.” World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the #WSTClassic.Second-round opponent David Grace will receive a bye. — World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) March 19, 2023 The World Championship gets under way at the Crucible in Sheffield on April 15.

O’Sullivan defeated Judd Trump 18-13 in last year’s final to win his seventh title, matching the record total of Stephen Hendry and also becoming the oldest winner.

Snooker O’Sullivan Neil Robertson Mark Williams Ronnie Osullivan Judd Trump Stephen Hendry Egypt Sheffield county Page

Jimmy White's hopes of a first appearance at the Crucible since 2006 were dashed by a disappointing 10-4 defeat to Martin O'Donnell in the second round of World Championship qualifying. Having reached the last 32 of the UK Championship and last 16 of the German Masters and WST Classic this season, the six-time world finalist had high hopes of continuing to turn back the clock by returning to the sport's biggest stage later this month. Ad «I’ll be getting to the Crucible, I am playing too well,» said White after losing 4-1 to Pang Junxu in the inaugural Classic event in Leicester last month.

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