July 15th 2024.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has been dominating the Shanghai Masters for quite some time now, and he shows no signs of slowing down. As he heads to the tournament as the defending champion once again, it's hard to remember the last time he lost here. It was back in 2016, when he was defeated by Michael Holt in the second round. Interestingly, that was the second of three consecutive wins for Holt over O'Sullivan that year.
Since then, a lot has changed for both players. Holt has gone on to become a ranking event winner, dropped off the tour, spent two years as an amateur, and now returned to the professional ranks. Meanwhile, O'Sullivan has won two World Championships, three UK Championships, and solidified his position as the greatest of all time in snooker. It's safe to say that both players have come a long way since that fateful match in 2016.
The Rocket's dominance at the Shanghai Masters is truly impressive, as he has won all three editions since it became a non-ranking event in 2018. He also won the final ranking event version of the tournament the year before. In fact, the list of players he has beaten in this event since his last loss is quite remarkable. In chronological order, it includes names like Christopher Keogan, Gary Wilson, Joe Perry, Barry Hawkins, Mark Williams, John Higgins, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, and many more.
O'Sullivan's aggregate score since his last loss stands at an impressive 140-73. It's clear that he has been on top of his game in this tournament, and it's a testament to his exceptional skills and consistency. In fact, it is quite rare for him to dominate a tournament over a stretch of time, as his brilliance lies in his longevity over three decades in the sport.
While O'Sullivan has achieved almost everything in his sport, his dominance at the Shanghai Masters is particularly special. It's not just about winning, but the way he dominates the event that makes it stand out. In a small field of top performers, playing on one table, with high stakes and top-notch organization, O'Sullivan truly shines. Although other top players like Judd Trump and Mark Selby also excel in these conditions, it's O'Sullivan's consistent performance that sets him apart.
As he heads to this year's tournament, the bookmakers have him as the favorite to make it five in a row at the Shanghai Masters. And with good reason, as O'Sullivan has won a whopping £760,000 over the last four editions of the tournament. Despite a disappointing quarter-final defeat at the World Championship earlier this year, he has been keeping busy with exhibition matches against top players and match practice at various events.
At the age of 49, O'Sullivan may be getting older, but he is certainly not slowing down. In fact, he seems more focused and determined than ever as he heads to his most reliable and successful event. It's safe to say that he is as much a favorite this year as he has ever been. So, can he do it again and add another trophy to his already impressive collection? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - O'Sullivan will always be on his best behavior in Shanghai, and his performance on the table will speak for itself.
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