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Ronnie O'Sullivan wardrobe malfunction sees frustrated snooker star walk out mid-match

Ronnie O'Sullivan was forced to walk off just minutes into his World Open clash with Ross Muir before returning to secure a 5-1 victory

[Ronnie O'Sullivan speaking to the referee.]

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Ronnie O'Sullivan speaking to the referee before leaving the table.(Image: TNT Sports)

Ronnie O'Sullivan abruptly exited his World Open match against Ross Muir after experiencing a wardrobe malfunction just minutes into the first frame. The Rocket had racked up 15 points but seemed uneasy as he prepared to take a relatively straightforward shot on the black, indicating his issue to the referee.

He attempted to adjust the sponsor patch on his waistcoat and repeatedly tried to proceed with the shot, clearly irritated by the stitching on his attire. Eventually, he'd had enough and, following a brief exchange with the official, stormed out of the hall, causing the first-round match to be suspended.

O'Sullivan shook his head as he departed from the table, leaving Muir bewildered as the Scot was yet to be informed about the problem.

The seven-time world champion left the venue and returned a few minutes later, after Muir and the audience in Yushan, China, were made aware of the reason for the interruption, and resumed his shot.

A break of 50 aided him in securing the first frame, but there was another pause in play when a fly landed on the cue ball just as Muir was about to strike it.

It was shooed away and subsequently removed from the table during O'Sullivan's shot, who put distractions aside to secure a commanding 5-1 victory.

[Ronnie O'Sullivan]

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Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Ross Muir in the first round of the World Open(Image: VCG via Getty Images)

He claimed the first frame and then quickly established a 3-0 lead with breaks of 83 and 69, before Muir executed a strong clearance to win the fourth frame. It proved the last significant contribution from the world No. 109, however, as the Rocket raced to victory in ruthless style.

He appeared destined for a record-breaking 18th maximum break of his career, having potted 15 reds and 15 blacks, but went in-off after colliding with the pink following an extremely delicate cut.

O'Sullivan missed out on a possible 5,000 for highest break but felt sufficiently assured to seal the win without complications. He compiled an impressive 114 in frame six to wrap up victory.

He faces Matthew Selt next on Wednesday and will surely hope that any wardrobe malfunctions will have been sorted by then.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Judd Trump takes on Mark Lloyd, Zhao Xintong faces Fuyuan Han and Ricky Walden meets Xinbo Wang in the first round.

John Higgins, Xinbo Wang, Xiao Guodong and Zhang Anda all progressed to the second round. Stuart Bingham, Jack Lisowski, Elliot Slessor and Hossein Vafaei are all in action later today looking to seal their spot in the same round.

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