Players Championship 2024 LIVE - Ronnie O'Sullivan returns to table to play Zhou Yuelong, Ali Carter faces Tom Ford

ByDaniel Harris|Ciaran Baynes

Updated 20/02/2024 at 21:19 GMT

Welcome back to our live text coverage of the 2024 Players Championship with many more big names in action on Tuesday afternoon and evening. This evening we see the great Ronnie O'Sullivan taking centre stage. Earlier, Mark Allen was in superb form making three consecutive centuries in his 6-3 defeat of Mark Williams. Follow all the drama with us in this live blog.

O’Sullivan says Brecel ‘will come good’ but jokes world champion ‘probably buying too many cars’

That's us done for tonight

Thanks for your company - join us again tomorrow at 12.30pm GMT.

On table two

World Championship

O'Sullivan wraps up win over Day to reach quarter-finals

00:02:25

7 hours ago

Tom Ford 2-5 Ali Carter

Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Zhou Yuelong 6-2!

He's 13 matches unbeaten now, and he's just beaten a fine player comfortably, playing within himself. He meets Hawkins or Selby next, while Zhou will go home to be haunted by that green he missed. Real talk, the match was probably over by then anyway, but still, that sealed it and it was sickener.

O'Sullivan 5-2 Zhou (66-0)

Ronnie looks to break the pack off the yellow and if this works, this is over ... and it semi-works. One ball is liberated, so he'll now go again off the blue... and there we are. Another red off the bottom of the pack, and this is over.

O'Sullivan 5-2 Zhou (29-0)

For the third time tonight, Ronnie responds to Zhou's break by rattling in an opener. He sends a red hurtling long to the green bag, cuts back a glorious black, and this feels a lot like curtains.

On table two

Tom Ford 2-4 Ali Carter

O'Sullivan 5-2 Zhou

Ronnie sinks pink and Zhou may never miss as easy a ball as that in the next 20 years of his career. He'll be feeling very very nauseous.

O'Sullivan 4-2 Zhou (56-42)

Or is it?! A red to left corner just won't drop, and when he's snookered, his escape leaves a simple starter. BUT OH MY DAYS! Zhou misses a short-range green, the kind of pot you or I would fancy making, and I just can't believe he's done that. This game! The frame was there for him, and was that nerves or focus? My guess is the latter, but you don't often see that kind of thing at this level, so who knows. Ronnie clears to the blue, and Zhou returns to the table flushed, needing both remaining balls and a snooker to save himself more feeling like he's feeling.

O'Sullivan 4-2 Zhou (44-34)

Pink into left-middle and up for the final red ... but no, he misses the pot! He goes at it hard and hits the near knuckle - it's not that close - then escapes a snooker and gets cover with the blue else he's left a sitter. it's going for Ronnie now.

O'Sullivan 4-2 Zhou (22-34)

It's looking pretty inconsequential right about now, because he leaves one, Ronnie, sinks it, and he's fairly racing about the table potting balls now. There's a red in the middle of black cush, but I don't think it'll trouble him.

O'Sullivan 4-2 Zhou (0-34)

Zhou strokes a lovely starter into left corner; he's not giving up here, though he knows the likely outcome. But, well, gah! He plays a poor black so ignores a double to get back to baulk, boasting a handy but potentially inconsequential lead.

On table two

Tom Ford 2-3 Ali Carter

O'Sullivan 4-2 Zhou

A total clearance of 139, and that was perfection.

O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou (80-0)

Total clearance in the offing here.

O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou (51-0)

Four red-blacks but no more loose reds, so Ronnie works his way down to the blue, opens the pack, and this looks like a potentially decisive lead in the making.

O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou (16-0)

Zhou looks regretful as Ronnie confidently despatches a long starter then gets to work. He looks like he wants this over now, and his young opponent will fear he's missed his chance.

On table two

Tom Ford 2-2 Ali Carter

O'Sullivan 3-2 Zhou

Ronnie secures the lead for the first time tonight; ominously so.

O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou (52-40)

Running out of position, Ronnie takes one on to the yellow bag but plays it in such a way that he leaves nothing when he misses; Zhou can't respond and a poor safety leaves a tricky starter to the green that Ronnie clips home nicely. he gets on to a cut-back red down the side, sinks it well, and this should now be the frame.

O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou (17-40)

But what's this?! Zhou misses a red to left corner that no one saw coming, least of all him, and immediately Ronnie sends a starter spinning to left-centre. He'll need to break what's left of the pack, but there's no one better at potting balls in this circumstance.

O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou (0-32)

Terrible break-off from Ronnie leaves the white up the business end and Zhou punishes him, sending a starter long to the green. In comms, Angles notes that when John Spencer did that in 1982, catching the same corner with the white, Steve Davis knocked in a max; Zhou has four red-blacks, and this looks a much better chance than the one in frame three.

We go again

On table two

Tom Ford 2-2 Ali Carter

O'Sullivan 2-2 Zhou

Yup, Ronnie does the necessary and they go to the interval with the match level. The second dig should be a belter.

O'Sullivan 1-2 Zhou (59-27)

The Rocket rockets in a starter and will surely shecure the frame form here.

O'Sullivan 1-2 Zhou (46-27)

Trying to force a tight cut to the middle that doesn't go, Zhou discovers that it doesn't go, and with reds on cushions, we could be here a while.

O'Sullivan 1-2 Zhou (46-20)

He then misses another ball he shouldn't a red to right corner, but with various others on cushions, he's still a warm favourite for the frame. Zhou, though sends a starter to middle and this'll be quite the dish if he can pull it off.

O'Sullivan 1-2 Zhou (24-8)

Zhou gets in well then snookers himself and escapes back to baulk. He then misses a starter and Ronnie slots one to get away. Zhou will feel he's missed a trick if he goes into the interval level, but with the Rocket about the black spot, that's what's likely.

On table two

Tom Ford 1-1 Ali Carter

O'Sullivan 1-2 Zhou

This is a really fun match, and Zhou has made fewer errors so he leads.

O'Sullivan 1-1 Zhou (10-64)

Zhou misses a red with three left, so Ronnie returns to the table needing a snooker. But he misses a difficult black and concedes; Zhou leads again!

O'Sullivan 1-1 Zhou (9-50)

This game! Looking to cut a red to left corner, Zhou chips one next to it first, misses the pot ... and then Ronnie botches a black off its spot! Zhou can't get off his seat quickly enough!

O'Sullivan 1-1 Zhou (0-37)

A fine blue opens more balls and it's hard to see Zhou ceding control of this frame from here. Ronnie now knows he's to play well if he's to win tonight, and even then he might not.

O'Sullivan 1-1 Zhou (0-9)

Zhou finds a lovely plant that he takes from centre to left corner before snuggling up to the yellow ... and bouncing off it. Ronnie, Judd and Mark J are so good at getting right into it, but it's so hard to do; the former escapes with a roll-up off the cushion. Then, left a difficult safety, Zhou takes a fair while thinking, then clacks a gorgeous opener into left corner. A pink comes next, and he's in.

On table two

Tom Ford 0-1 Ali Carter

O'Sullivan 1-1 Zhou

This match is going to shift.

O'Sullivan 0-1 Zhou (62-29)

Yup, Ronnie removes balls and gets on to the final red, frame-ball, which goes to left-middle, and both these look to be in good touch.

O'Sullivan 0-1 Zhou (35-29)

One miss is all it takes. Zhou leaves one on the lip of the green bag and Ronnie swerves around the brown to pot it before playing safe. Zhou will be devo'd he wasted that chance, and his safety chops aren't really up there yet. And as I type, he leaves one, Ronnie draining a beauty, and this could well be 1-1.

O'Sullivan 0-1 Zhou (28-8)

Oh yes! Ronnie floats a glorious starter into right corner and immediately gets to work slotting blacks with reds. He'll know he's in for a match tonight and Zhou is probably one of the few players to whom he can stomach losing ... and what a chance he's got now! Because splitting the pack, Ronnie misses the pot, and leaves the fruits of his labours for his opponent to reap!

On table two

Tom Ford 0-0 Ali Carter

O'Sullivan 0-1 Zhou

A run of 77 and Zhou hits the front. He's not beaten Ronnie before, but he's been getting closer.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Zhou (0-63)

Good work from Zhou, binning the easy balls - with blacks - and the frame looks certain to be his. He has a look at a pink to middle, then a black to right corner ... and he takes the former. So, no maxi, but a one-frame lead is almost his.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Zhou (0-24)

Zhou's got such a cute little face, and he's in first here, quickly opening the pack and sinking red-blacks. Before you get excited, though, there's a ball stuck to the blue in baulk and three others on the side, two of them stuck together.

Our boyz baize

And here we go!

Ronnie

Has been lording it over the rest recently, winning triple-crown events without even playing well ... then telling everyone about it. Zhou, though, will not be scared of him, at all, and this could be a great match.

From earlier

Gary Wilson 6-4 Hossein Vafaei.

Gary to meet Mark Allen next.

For you tonight we have

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Zhou Yuelong, along with updates from Tom Ford v Ali Carter.

Evening all!

We go again...

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW...

Join us from 18.45 this evening as we build up to the return of 'The Rocket', Ronnie O'Sullivan, in what should be a cracking encounter with Zhou Yuelong.

WILLIAMS 3-6 ALLEN

Allen pots a long red from baulk into the bottom right pocket and, as he ponders a colour, Williams concedes. What a performance from the Ulsterman. He will play the winner of Gary Wilson and Hossein Vafaei, who are currently locked at 3-3.

WILLIAMS 3-5 ALLEN (0-68)

A break of 68 leaves Williams requiring a snooker.

WILLIAMS 3-5 ALLEN (0-12)

Allen immediately pots a long red and after a brown, a fantastic cross-table long angled pot has him in position for a match-winning break.

WILLIAMS 3-5 ALLEN

Just the 70 this time for Allen, but enough to put him a frame away from victory.

WILLIAMS 3-4 ALLEN (5-75)

Allen secures the frame. Now he eyes his fourth century of the match.

WILLIAMS 3-4 ALLEN (5-14)

A stunning plant played at ferocious speed has spread reds around the table and given Allen a chance.

WILLIAMS 3-4 ALLEN (5-6)

Maybe the first really poor mistake of the match. Allen was in good position but misses a regulation red around the black spot. But Williams cannot take advantage, failing to get position off the brown.

WILLIAMS 3-4 ALLEN

Allen misses a red leaving it in the jaws and concedes the frame. You get the feeling this could go down to the wire.

WILLIAMS 2-4 ALLEN (59-7)

At the end of break Allen needs one snooker.

WILLIAMS 2-4 ALLEN (18-7)

A more 'normal' frame, both have had chances and not taken advantage. Williams now has another opportunity.

WILLIAMS 2-4 ALLEN (14-0)

This time Williams is quickly amongst the balls and looks set for a big score.

WILLIAMS 2-4 ALLEN

Allen rolls the final red down the cushion to give himself the black for a fourth century but he misses the difficult cut. A 95-break not to be sniffed at though.

WILLIAMS 2-3 ALLEN (4-73*)

And just like that, the frame is won.

WILLIAMS 2-3 ALLEN (4-9*)

Allen is on the table and amongst the balls. If this match is anything to go by, it could be frame over soon.

WILLIAMS 2-3 ALLEN

Williams has sealed the frame with a 69-break.

WILLIAMS 1-3 ALLEN (38-0)

A superb red to blue keeps the break going. What a high-quality match this has been.

WILLIAMS 1-3 ALLEN (6-0)

Williams first on the board with a long red.

WILLIAMS 1-3 ALLEN (0-0)

Williams gets us back underway after the interval.

ON THE OTHER TABLE...

Gary Wilson has pulled back from two-nil down to draw level at 2-2 going into the interval.

WILLIAMS 1-3 ALLEN

That's why he's one of the greatest to ever play the game. Not able to pot a ball (bar a fluke) in the first three frames, from 45-0 down he makes a break of 71 to stay in the match going into the interval.

WILLIAMS 0-3 ALLEN (57-45)

Masterful half-century from Williams to get himself back into the frame, but he has left himself tough work to pot yellow and stay in position.

WILLIAMS 0-3 ALLEN (0-45)

What a shame, looking to equal the record he shares of four consecutive centuries, Allen falls out of position on a red at the bottom of the pack and lays a safety with the white on the baulk cushion. Just the 45 this time. Awful snooker!

WILLIAMS 0-3 ALLEN (0-9)

Another error from Williams has Allen at the table once more, after a pot off the cushion setting himself up for a black.

WILLIAMS 0-3 ALLEN

Can Williams get a frame back before the interval?

WILLIAMS 0-2 ALLEN (0-102*)

Back-to-back-to-back centuries. He misses the last red, but what a start this has been.

WILLIAMS 0-2 ALLEN (0-78*)

Another frame in the books for Allen and a real uphill struggle for Williams now.

WILLIAMS 0-2 ALLEN (0-12)

Allen again first with his hand on the table after a prolonged saftey exchange. Enough reds open on the table to make a frame-winning break.

WILLIAMS 0-2 ALLEN

Back-to-back centuries with a 112 following the 146. If anything, the second break was maybe better.

WILLIAMS 0-1 ALLEN (1-128*)

Simply wonderful snooker form Allen to bring up a ton. Sublime shots, particularly a screwback off a red by baulk to get position for the black and position off a cut on the blue to break up reds.

WILLIAMS 0-1 ALLEN (1-84*)

The frame is now won. Can he get back-to-back hundreds?

WILLIAMS 0-1 ALLEN (1-61*)

Allen is taking full advantage.

WILLIAMS 0-1 ALLEN (1-16)

Four misses from the snooker and now Allen has a free ball. Awful start for Williams.

WILLIAMS 0-1 ALLEN (1-0)

Williams a long way away from a pot but it bounces up to the opposite baulk and back into the bottom right pocket. Not really good luck though as he's snookered.

WILLIAMS 0-1 ALLEN

A 146-break which has set the target for others to beat in the tournament. All this while worrying about the 'badge on' sponsor attached to his arm coming off.

WILLIAMS 0-0 ALLEN (0-119*)

What a start to a match! The 146 is still on if he clears up the colours.

WILLIAMS 0-0 ALLEN (0-71*)

A bit disappointing. Allen looked to take the difficult red off the cushion and ruined position on the black. He has potted the pink though - maybe a 146 is coming!

WILLIAMS 0-0 ALLEN (0-48*)

147 watch... Six reds, six blacks...

WILLIAMS 0-0 ALLEN (0-1)

Williams misses a long pot and Allen takes advantage nailing a narrow red and setting himself up on the black.

1303 - THE PLAYERS ARE ON THE BAIZE

Mark Williams to break in the opener.

1255 - FIRST UP THE MAGICIAN MEETS THE PISTOL

Mark Williams plays world number three and this year's Shoot-out and Champion of Champions' winner Mark Allen. On the other table Gary Wilson is facing the always exciting Hossein Vafaei which we will also be keeping tabs on.

1250 - LATER WE HAVE THE ROCKET TAKE ON ZHOU...

This evening, Ronnie O'Sullivan plays Zhou Yuelong (with a dashing of Tom Ford-Ali Carter) and you will be able to follow that action here from 19:00.