Snooker sensation Stephen Maguire expressed his frustration at continuously falling short against renowned player Ronnie O’Sullivan. Despite a 13-year pursuit, Maguire’s quest to defeat O’Sullivan remained unfulfilled, with their recent encounter at the Xi’an Grand Prix in China ending in a decisive victory for O’Sullivan, who showcased exceptional skill with breaks of 134, 70, 63, and 85.

Acknowledging O’Sullivan’s mastery on the table, Maguire praised his opponent’s remarkable performance, admitting, “Ronnie was unbelievable against me… He made me realize how far away I am.” Reflecting on his longstanding rivalry with O’Sullivan, Maguire lamented, “He does it to me every time… he’s always on it. He’s good to watch.”

Although O’Sullivan fell short of clinching the Xi’an Grand Prix title, losing in the quarter-finals to Gary Wilson, the competition witnessed Shaun Murphy’s outstanding play, marked by three centuries, before ultimately succumbing to Mark Williams, who made history as the oldest player to win a ranking event at the age of 50.

As Maguire aims to climb back up the rankings after dropping to 25th globally, he remains determined to regain a top-16 position. Following his recent victory over Luca Brecel, Maguire faces off against China’s Si Jiahui in the upcoming Northern Ireland Open, acknowledging the challenging nature of the sport and the competitive landscape he navigates.

Furthermore, Maguire humbly downplayed his Championship League win in July, emphasizing the tough competition ahead and the significance of upcoming tournaments to elevate his standing in the snooker world. In other news, Sky has announced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the forthcoming season, offering an extensive lineup of live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL, to cater to avid sports enthusiasts.