Ronnie O'Sullivan during the Welsh Open in Cardiff, UK, February 12, 2020. /VCG
Five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan failed to reach the finals at the Snooker Championship League after losing a crucial match against World No. 14 Stuart Bingham on Tuesday.
O'Sullivan, cruising into the last-16 stage after clinching three consecutive wins from his first-round group matches last Friday, finished Tuesday's Group C journey with two victories and one loss.
2015 world champion Bingham also recorded two wins and one defeat, but the 3-0 win over O'Sullivan sealed the reigning Masters champion's top place in the group.
Stuart Bingham poses with the Paul Hunter Trophy after victory in the Final of the Dafabet Masters in London, UK, January 19, 2020. /VCG
"I knew I needed to win 3-0 to top the group," said Bingham. "I got it going when it mattered.
"I took my chances when they come. Happy to be through. I have to play like that to have any chance in the final."
Meanwhile, Chinese ace Liang Wenbo finished bottom of the group with one draw and two losses while Ben Woollaston won the group after clinching two victories and one loss.
(With input from agencies)