Thepchaiya Un-Nooh Stuns Ronnie O’Sullivan to Claim 2026 World Open Title

Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-7 in a thrilling final at the 2026 World Open in Yushan, China, on March 22nd. The victory marks the second ranking title of Un-Nooh’s career and a historic moment for Thai snooker.

A Comeback for the Ages

The match was a rollercoaster of momentum swings. O’Sullivan initially took a 4-0 lead, but Un-Nooh responded with six consecutive frames to seize control. O’Sullivan then battled back to level the score at 7-7, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Un-Nooh ultimately dominated the final stretch, winning the last four frames, including a spectacular maximum 147 break in the penultimate frame. This incredible run of form secured his victory and cemented his place in snooker history. Sky Sports reported on the topsy-turvy nature of the title clash.

Second Ranking Title for Un-Nooh

This win represents a significant milestone in Un-Nooh’s career. His first ranking title came at the 2019 Snooker Shoot Out, where he defeated Michael Holt. World Snooker Tour highlighted that this victory is his greatest title triumph to date.

A Historic Win for Thailand

Un-Nooh’s triumph is also a landmark achievement for Thai snooker. He becomes only the second player from Thailand to win a full-format ranking event, following in the footsteps of James Wattana, who won the 1995 Thailand Open, also defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final. Totally Snookered noted this historic achievement.

Impact on Rankings and Future Tournaments

The victory has significantly boosted Un-Nooh’s world ranking, lifting him 17 places from 39th to 22nd. He has also secured a spot in the Sportsbet.io Tour Championship in Manchester, England, from March 30 to April 5, 2026. ronnieo147.com reported on the ranking implications.

O’Sullivan, despite the loss, moved from 12th to 10th in the world rankings. He had recently been working to rebuild his game after experiencing stage fright in recent months, and his performance this week showed encouraging signs, including a historic 153 break in the quarter-finals.

Prize Money

Un-Nooh collected a prize of £175,000 for his victory, the largest payday of his career.