Shanghai Masters: Ronnie O’Sullivan kicks off the new season with a win

Ronnie O’Sullivan made a comfortable start to the new snooker season by winning the first round of the Shanghai Masters.

Playing in his first major event of 2026-27, the seven-time world champion claimed a 6-1 win over 18-year-old Chinese amateur Liu Linhao, who was a wildcard entry.

The 50-year-old Englishman made four breaks over 50 on Tuesday to set up a meeting with top seed and defending champion Karen Wilson in the last 16.

England’s four-time world champion Mark Selby suffered a quick exit as world number nine Zhou Yuelong lost 6-5.

The 28-year-old local favourite, currently ranked 22nd in the world, broke 83 and then 107 to fight back from 5-4 down.

Barry Hawkins beat Lei Peifan 6-4 to reach the last 16, and fellow Englishman Chris Wakelin went down 6-0 against Hiuen Tang.

Hawkins faces world number one Jude Trump in next Tuesday’s second-round matches, while Hawkins faces Mark Williams and world number two Neil Robertson takes on Xiao Guodong.