UK Championship 2021 - 23/11 to 05/12. Eurosport and BBC

Has the talent to have achieved a lot more than he did, though has had a few issues with his back through the years that probably didn't help to be fair. Eyesight problems too iirc.

Missing a couple but not afraid to go for his shots anyway. Not overawed in the slightest. Good contest so far.

Was a strange frame, ronnie lost his composure for a few moments, whether the crowd movement got to him or what. Big chance missed for Noppon though, cue ball control has let him down, long potting has been sensational.

Classy clearance by O'Sullivan....surely his title to lose now?

Nice plant to seal the deal there from Zhao. Did well to close that match out the way he did, was sure Lines was going to hand him a one way ticket to shredsville.

Lovely little nifty shot Zhao played on the pink. Thought Hendry was unfair on Zhao a bit. Saying he is supposed to be producing at 24 yo. But Hendry did not factor in Zhao is from China different culture - he has limited English etc.

Hendry can be harsh alright. Thing about Zhao, he's had incredible hype ever since he beat Steve Davis in the China Open 7-8 years ago so lot of expectation on him. Agree it's definitely a bit tougher for young chinese kids having to uproot and move to a totally different environment. Maybe Zhao is getting there but still think his overall game is a bit lacking yet. Exciting to watch though, that's for sure.

Jimmy or Hendry coming through at 18/19 were the exceptions that prove the rule.

Even Ronnie, the greatest player ever, had won the following at his 28th birthday: 1 World, 3 UKs, 1 Masters. Mark Williams had won more of the big titles at 28. 2 Worlds, 2 UK, 2 Masters

I'd say if Ronnie was going through at 28 today there'd be people complaining that he made a huge splash, but failed to really deliver. And to a certain extent that is true in his case, but his most productive years were in his 30s and early 40s.

Not comparing all these guys to Ronnie or Mark, but some of them will break through to win the bigger ranking events.

Zhao just needs a Terry Griffiths in his corner or that type of veteran old school player with tactical nous. All that stuff can be learnt. The raw potting and flamboyance can't be taught.

That's true but I also believe these aspects of the game are hard to pick up if they're not ingrained in you from a young age. Thing about snooker now, unless you reach a final, qualify for tour championship or world last 48, you won't play any multi session matches, as in more than one session. That's probably over half the tour, some of them might never play two sessions in their career! Players are being conditioned now for bo7s which can't prepare you for the mental demands of the marathon matches. I don't know can you coach that either and think it's a big reason why young players are finding it increasingly difficult to bridge the gap.

Wollaston looking ok and capable but bad positional shot or bad pot, missing that straight black... Jesus... he was up off the shot as he struck the ball, looking like an amateur...

ridiculously bad break off by Woollaston and Kyren looking good for victory

The inconsistency that’s killing Woolaston

Intrigued by this match up. Not seen much of Jack this season, results before this week not been great. Hossein isn't always the tightest so should in theory be a good opponent for him. Hoping Hossein continues his good form anyway, if he does he'll go close.

Very entertaining match. Taking that red on was never the shot for me, was screaming at him to play the snooker. Lisowski is some machine to be fair, though still rough round the edges. Would fancy him to beat Zhou so big chance for him to finally make that much anticipated major breakthrough.

I don't know did any of you see Steve Davis in studio earlier today. He was asked to comment on the Masters draw.

He said something like 'Great draw look at all those top players, many of them wondering how they can get their form back after this tournament after been knocked out early'

Then burst his sides laughing.