The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 World Open snooker tournament as Ronnie O’Sullivan faces Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the final on Sunday, March 22, at the Yushan Sports Centre in Yushan, China. After a week packed with drama, record-breaking feats, and hard-fought victories, two of the game’s most naturally gifted cueists are ready to battle it out for the season’s third-last ranking title and a hefty £175,000 winner’s cheque.
O’Sullivan, known to fans as “The Rocket,” has electrified the tournament with both his trademark flair and a dogged determination that’s seen him overcome adversity at every turn. His route to the final has been anything but straightforward. In the semi-finals, O’Sullivan was pushed to the brink by rising Chinese star Wu Yize. Locked at 5-5 in a race to six, O’Sullivan found himself trailing 43-0 in the deciding frame. With the home crowd holding its breath, he produced a stunning 89 counter-clearance to clinch a 6-5 victory and book his 66th ranking final appearance. “At 5-5 when he missed I had a chance on the red I had to go for it. The ball went in, which I couldn't believe, and I made a great clearance,” O’Sullivan told Sky Sports. “I knew that if I got the red I fancied I could clear up.”
This run to the final has already been historic for O’Sullivan. In his quarter-final match against Ryan Day, he compiled a world-record break of 153 – the highest ever recorded in professional snooker. The break was made possible by a free ball at the start of the frame, allowing O’Sullivan to surpass the traditional maximum of 147. The achievement sent shockwaves through the snooker world, with fans and pundits alike marveling at his ingenuity and execution. For a player who already holds the record for the fastest maximum break (5 minutes 8 seconds, unbeaten for 29 years), this latest feat only adds to his legendary status.
O’Sullivan’s journey through the tournament has been a testament to his enduring class. After dispatching Ross Muir 5-1 in round one and receiving a bye in round two, he breezed past Matthew Selt 5-0 and overcame Shaun Murphy 5-3 in the subsequent rounds. His whitewash of Ryan Day in the quarter-finals set up the dramatic semi-final with Wu Yize, where his composure under pressure shone through once again.
Yet, despite his glittering career – seven world titles, eight UK Championships, eight Masters, and 41 ranking titles heading into this event – O’Sullivan finds himself chasing his first ranking crown since January 2024 and his first silverware since the World Masters of Snooker invitational in March 2024. At 50 years old, he stands on the cusp of another historic milestone: should he prevail, he would become the first player ever to win a ranking event in his teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. “I like my bottle when I'm flowing. I like my bottle anyway really,” O’Sullivan admitted. “That is different now. I feel a lot happier because I'm in that frame of mind. Even if I miss, at least I fancy it.”
Standing in his way is Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, a player renowned for his speed, natural talent, and, at times, agonizing near-misses. The 40-year-old Un-Nooh booked his place in the final with a sensational 6-4 victory over world number one Judd Trump. Displaying nerves of steel, Un-Nooh racked up three century breaks in the match but nearly faltered in the tenth frame, missing a straightforward pink before eventually sealing the win with a tricky long black. Relief, rather than pure joy, was evident as he realized the magnitude of his achievement.
This marks Un-Nooh’s third career ranking final and his second appearance in the World Open final, having lost to Trump in 2019. Despite his prodigious talent, Un-Nooh has often been labeled one of snooker’s great underachievers. However, a win today would not only net him the top prize but also secure a place in the upcoming Tour Championship via the one-year ranking list. The Thai cueist enters as the underdog, with bookmakers placing him at 5/2 against O’Sullivan’s 2/7, but with his current form, he cannot be counted out. The opening exchanges in the first session could prove crucial if Un-Nooh is to upset the odds and avoid a repeat of his heavy 10-1 defeat to O’Sullivan in their 2020 World Championship clash.
The head-to-head between these two stands at 2-1 in O’Sullivan’s favor, and while history leans towards the Englishman, the unpredictability of snooker means anything can happen. The final will be played over the best of 19 frames, split into two sessions: the first commencing at 6:00am UK time (2:00pm local in Yushan) and the second at 11:30am UK time (7:30pm local). The first player to reach 10 frames will lift the trophy.
The World Open itself boasts a rich history, having evolved through various names and formats since its inception as the Professional Players Tournament in 1982. Since 2016, Yushan has been its home, welcoming champions like Mark Williams, Ali Carter, Ding Junhui, and Judd Trump. Last year, Scotland’s John Higgins became the second oldest winner of a ranking event with his victory, but his title defense ended early this time, leaving the spotlight firmly on O’Sullivan and Un-Nooh.
Fans across the globe can catch the action live on Eurosport, discovery+, TNT Sport, and the World Snooker Tour’s official streaming partners. With a total prize fund of £825,000 and the prestige of a major title at stake, both players have every incentive to deliver their best snooker.
As the 2026 World Open final gets underway, all eyes will be on whether O’Sullivan can finally end his title drought and add another chapter to his storied career, or if Un-Nooh can defy the odds and claim the biggest win of his life. One thing’s for sure: snooker fans are in for a treat as two of the sport’s most exciting talents go head-to-head in Yushan.
With the match set to unfold over two gripping sessions, anticipation is at fever pitch. Whether history will be made by O’Sullivan or Un-Nooh will seize his moment remains to be seen, but the world of snooker will be watching every ball.