Ronnie O’Sullivan was eliminated on the first day of the UK Championship after suffering a 6-4 defeat at the hands of Barry Hawkins in York. Hawkins mounted a stunning comeback, winning four frames in succession to overturn a 4-2 deficit and secure only his third victory against O’Sullivan, the reigning champion, in 21 career encounters. Hawkins, 45, compiled four consecutive half-centuries, leaving the eight-time champion seated for three consecutive frames.

“I just think Barry played a good match and deserved his win, so you have to give all credit to him,” said O’Sullivan, visibly disappointed. “He looked strong and took his chances. I’m all right about it and I’m pretty much used to it. You just have to roll with it. It is what it is.” O’Sullivan had begun the match impressively, with two century breaks establishing a 3-1 lead at the interval, appearing poised to extend his dominant record over Hawkins, who hadn’t beaten him since the 2016 World Championships.

There was no indication of O’Sullivan’s impending downfall when he executed a long red in the opening frame, finishing with a break of 128. However, the top seed failed to capitalize on Hawkins’ missed pink in the next frame, and a break of 57 was sufficient for Hawkins to level the match at 1-1. Hawkins missed two early opportunities in the following frame, falling behind, before O’Sullivan compiled his second century, a 114, which gave him a commanding 3-1 lead at the interval.

Hawkins managed to close the gap to a single frame, but when he missed an easy red on 17 in the next, it seemed his chance of an upset had vanished. Instead, O’Sullivan’s display of frustration, when he slammed his fist on the table after missing a red early in the seventh frame, proved pivotal. Hawkins’ 73 clearance reduced the deficit, and subsequent breaks of 75 and 88 without reply completed his dramatic turnaround, bringing him to the brink of victory. Drawing on his experience, Hawkins extended his run with a break of 60 in the next frame, and when O’Sullivan failed to capitalize on a chance when his opponent ran out of position, his title defense was effectively over.

“It’s been eight years since I beat him so it’s a massive win for me,” said Hawkins. “So many times I’ve been in this position against him and I’ve just crumbled, but I didn’t crumble today. I’m so proud of the way I stood up and took it the way I did. Hopefully it will give me more confidence. If I can’t take confidence from a win like that, I don’t know what’s wrong.” In another match completed that day, Shaun Murphy held his nerve to defeat China’s Zhao Xintong. Murphy led 3-0 but lost the next three frames. The match ended 5-5, with Murphy advancing to the last 16, where he will face either Ding Junhui or Robert Milkins.

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