World Open Last 16: Vafaei Downs O’Sullivan
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Hossein Vafaei was victorious in the latest instalment of his rivalry with Ronnie O’Sullivan, prevailing 5-4 in the last 16 of the Huading Nylon World Open in Yushan, China on Thursday.
Victory keeps his hopes of qualifying for the Johnstone’s Paint Tour Championship alive. Only the top 12 players of the season earn a place in the prestigious event. Vafaei must make the semi-finals to edge above John Higgins into 12th spot.
Regardless of the defeat, O’Sullivan will head into the Tour Championship as world number one. It will mean he has been on top of the world rankings for two years when the event gets underway on April 1st, his longest ever unbroken spell at the summit.
