Big Names Fall At Welsh Open
Ronnie O’Sullivan crashed out of the Welsh Open on Tuesday, beaten 5-1 by fellow Englishman Ian McCulloch.
There were also defeats for Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Peter Ebdon and Paul Hunter, though world champion Shaun Murphy survived to take his place in the last 16.
O’Sullivan seemed to be struggling with an injury to his right wrist but refused to confirm he had sustained a fracture while boxing in the gym.
“It’s just a little problem the doctors are looking into,” he said.
“It’s just a bit sore. I did something years ago and it feels a bit achy.”
McCulloch, the world number 16 from Preston, had lost his five previous meetings with O’Sullivan but took advantage of the chance that came his way.
“I didn’t know Ronnie had a problem until I spoke to him at the interval but I don’t think it would have made any difference,” said McCulloch, a semi-finalist in last season’s World Championship.
“But it’s just one win. I won’t get carried away unless I’m here for the final.”
Hendry lost 5-3 to Barry Hawkins, Davis was edged out 5-3 by Jamie Cope, Hunter succumbed 5-3 to Anthony Hamilton while Ebdon was thrashed 5-0 by Joe Swail.
