O’Sullivan Eyes Record-Extending Title at World Open Final

Ronnie O’Sullivan will compete for his 42nd ranking title at the World Open final on Sunday, March 22, 2026, against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. Flashscore reports the match is scheduled to take place on March 22nd.

Record-Breaking Week for ‘The Rocket’

This week has already been historic for O’Sullivan, who achieved the highest professional break ever recorded with a score of 153 in his quarter-final victory over Ryan Day. He is now aiming for his first World Open crown. BBC Sport details his journey to the final.

Path to the Final

O’Sullivan secured his place in the final with a 6-5 win against Wu Yize in the semi-finals on Saturday. He has previously lost in the World Open final three times, in 2000, 2005, and 2010, to Mark Williams, John Higgins, and Neil Robertson, respectively.

Thepchaiya’s Upset Victory

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh reached the final after a surprising 6-4 victory over world number one Judd Trump in the semi-finals. He is seeking his second ranking title, having previously won the Snooker Shoot Out in 2019. He was too a finalist in the 2019 World Open, losing to Trump 10-5.

Head-to-Head Record

O’Sullivan currently leads the head-to-head record against Thepchaiya 2-1. Their most significant encounter was at the 2020 World Snooker Championship, where O’Sullivan won convincingly with a score of 10-1.

Betting Odds and Predictions

According to betting insights, Ronnie O’Sullivan is favored to win, with a -3.5 handicap offered at 1/1. An alternative bet suggests over 3.5 century breaks in the match at 4/7, given both players’ break-scoring prowess throughout the tournament. HBO Max is broadcasting the final.

Century Break Potential

Both players have demonstrated a high frequency of century breaks during the tournament. O’Sullivan has recorded eight century breaks, including his record-breaking 153, while Thepchaiya produced three century breaks in his semi-final win against Trump.

Key Match Statistics

• Ronnie O’Sullivan is in his 66th ranking-event final, aiming for a 42nd title.
• O’Sullivan’s last ranking event win was at the 2024 World Grand Prix, defeating Judd Trump.
• Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is in his third ranking-event final and first since 2019.
• Thepchaiya’s only ranking title came at the 2019 Snooker Shoot Out.