Ronnie O'Sullivan loses in the quarter-finals in Xi'an: interrupted winning streak.

Ronnie O'Sullivan exits the Xi'an Grand Prix

According to The Sun: Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered a 5-2 defeat against Gary Wilson at the Xi'an Grand Prix, marking the end of his successful title chase.

In the quarter-finals, 'The Rocket' won only three frames, while Wilson quickly established himself in the match, gaining a 3-0 lead and then had the chance to face Shaun Murphy.

O'Sullivan had a chance to get back into the match when Wilson committed a foul in the fourth frame. He won the fifth frame to reduce the deficit to 3-2. However, Wilson stunned the seven-time champion in the sixth frame, which featured a successful 120 break, and controlled the situation in the next frame, winning the seventh.

O'Sullivan was looking to end his 21-month winless run in ranking tournaments, having shown strong performances. In the first round, he thrashed Yao Bing 5-1, before defeating Stephen Maguire 5-0. In the second round, he again won 5-2 against Jacob Jones, but Wilson proved to be too strong a foe.

Despite his notable positive form, O'Sullivan has repeatedly emphasized that he must be careful and not let outside factors distract him during competitions in China.

Wilson noted after his victory that he had to win a psychological battle against O'Sullivan.

“You have to show him [O'Sullivan] that you are ready to play.”

“Against Ronnie, you can sense that he is trying to read the signs, trying to understand if you feel good or bad, or if you have taken your chances.”

Now Wilson, who is ranked 17th in the world, will meet Murphy in the fight to reach the final, after having defeated home favorite Ding Junhui 5-3.

In the second semi-final, Mark Williams will face Daniel Wells in a completely Welsh encounter. Williams beat Li Haoqian 5-4, while Wells secured his spot in the semi-finals by defeating Liam Puller 5-2.

Ronnie O'Sullivan's exit from the Xi'an Grand Prix underscores his struggle to return to form at major tournament stages. Practicing in future competitions and refining his strategy may help him overcome current challenges and return to elite play. Wilson's fight for a place in the final showcases the rising level of competition in the world of snooker, where no opponent becomes an easy prey. The skills he demonstrated could significantly contribute to his future competitions.