Snooker: O'Sullivan to lose world No. 1 spot after World Championship exit

Ronnie O'Sullivan of England will lose the world No. 1 spot that he had held since April 2022 after his shocking knockout during the Snooker World Championship on Wednesday.

Mark Allen of Northern Ireland will top the list for the first time.

O'Sullivan has claimed that some referees have "got it in for me" after his bid to capture a record eighth world snooker title was crushed by Stuart Bingham of England 13-10 in the quarterfinals.

"I had a little cry in my dressing room because I was fearing the worst, and I don't know how I've held myself together," said Bingham.

His win, however, was overshadowed by a bizarre incident in the 12th frame involving O'Sullivan and referee Desislava Bozhilova.

O'Sullivan was initially praised for an act of sportsmanship after seeming to play safe rather than opting to pot a red close to the black because he believed the black had not been spotted correctly.

The world No. 1, who was 14 points behind and on a break of 20, eventually lost the frame but was hailed for his gesture, with former world champion Neil Robertson calling it "the greatest bit of sportsmanship I've ever seen.".

However, O'Sullivan hit out at officials.

"To be honest with you, some of the refs, I think they've got it in for me, so I just wanted to prove to her that she got it wrong," he told Eurosport.

"I didn't feel good about potting the ball after that, but I just wanted to make the point. The point was made. I'm not that hungry to win it in that way, so once the principle's been made, I can sleep at night."

The 48-year-old subsequently told Bozhilova to "chill" after an incident in which she asked him to resume playing while he waited for some spectators to retake their seats in the arena.

Asked about the incidents afterwards, O'Sullivan tried to calm the storm.

"I won't be commenting on players or referees; it's not worth it," he added.

"I'll keep silent on that sort of stuff. I won't comment on players, and I won't comment on referees. I just leave it as it is. My life's too good, and I don't need the hassle."

Meanwhile, world No. 2 Judd Trump of England also failed to reach the semifinals as the 2019 world champion was beaten by qualifier Jak Jones of Wales 13-9.

Jones reached the quarterfinals last year, making his first appearance at the World Championship. The 30-year-old then took one step further in his second visit to Crucible to reach his second ranking event semifinal in his career.

In other quarterfinal action, David Gilbert of England wrapped up a 13-8 win over Stephen Maguire of Scotland to seal a place in the semifinals for the first time since 2019.

He will take on Kyren Wilson next after the 12th seed secured a 13-8 win over four-time champion John Higgins.

Gilbert's win means three qualifiers – including Bingham and Jones – have reached the semifinals for the first time since the first year the tournament was staged at Sheffield's Crucible Theater in 1977.

2024 Snooker World Championship

Date: April 20 – May 6, 2024

Location: The Crucible Theater in Sheffield, England

Semifinals:

David Gilbert of England vs. Kyren Wilson of England

Jak Jones of Wales vs. Stuart Bingham of England

(With input from agencies)