by Sportswriters Chen Junwu and Huang Haoran

YUSHAN, South China, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 World Snooker Open on Friday, compiling a tournament-record break of 153 in a 5-0 whitewash of Ryan Day.

The event is being staged in Yushan County in eastern China's Jiangxi Province, marking O'Sullivan's return to the venue after a two-year absence.

He first came to Yushan in 2019 and attended the opening of the World Billiards Museum and Hall of Fame in 2024. The transformation of the southern Chinese water town has left a deep impression.

"I absolutely love Yushan. It's so quiet and comfortable," O'Sullivan said in an exclusive interview. "When I came here, I barely recognized the place. The changes are just incredible.

"There are professional gyms, comfortable hotels, and fantastic restaurants here. Everything I need to train properly, get in the right headspace, and focus fully on my snooker."

A longtime admirer of Chinese cuisine, O'Sullivan spoke warmly about the local food.

"The food here in Yushan is amazing. I've always loved Chinese and Asian food - I can handle spice, I love seafood, and the dishes here are right up my street."

The 48-time ranking-event winner, who gained Hong Kong permanent residency in 2024, said the status has made his travels to China for tournaments far smoother.

"It feels like coming home. It's such a nice feeling," he said.

Despite the historic break and dominant run to the last four, the 51-year-old - a member of snooker's famed Class of '75 - stayed characteristically modest.

"I'm just really happy to have created a great moment for the sport and for the fans," O'Sullivan said of his record 153 break. "I came here with no expectations or targets for my results. I'm just delighted to have found my cue action and my feel for the game again."

Few fans realize the snooker great has battled a prolonged slump in form over the past three years.

"For the last three years, no matter how many hours I practiced, I thought my play was terrible. It was like a golfer who just can't hole a putt, stuck in this deep self-doubt," he added.

Before arriving in Yushan, he spent three weeks completely rebuilding his technique, beginning with the basics of his cue action.

"Thankfully, here in Yushan, I've found my love for playing again. That's all that matters," he said.

For the remainder of the tournament, his approach remains straightforward.

"When I first got here, my only target was to win two matches. I've done that now. Next, I just want to try to win two more. I'm really happy with how I'm playing, and I hope I can keep this going."

O'Sullivan has watched the rise of snooker in China since Ding Junhui first brought the sport into the mainstream, through to the current wave of young talents such as Zhao Xintong, Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong.

"The speed of development in China is incredible, no matter what they do - and that's true for snooker too," O'Sullivan said. "Snooker in China is in an amazing place right now. There are so many talented young players, lots of great competitors winning international events. Chinese snooker is really, really strong."

At this year's event he has taken a particular interest in rising Chinese star Wu Yize, watching all his matches and training with him.

"Yize and me are like big brother and little brother. I chat with him about his matches, and I do whatever I can to help him improve, to fulfill that incredible talent he has," O'Sullivan said. "He has unbelievable natural ability, and a huge hunger to learn. His potential is limitless."

To young players coming up through the ranks, his message is straightforward: "Enjoy the game, give it your all."

For more than two decades, O'Sullivan's thrilling, spectator-friendly style has captivated millions of Chinese fans.

"I can really feel the love for snooker from Chinese fans, and I'm so grateful for all their support over the years," he said. "I'll keep playing for as long as I can, to put on more great matches for them."

At 51, "The Rocket" shows no sign of slowing down. On the table, his guiding principle remains simple: enjoy the game itself. ■