Ronnie O'Sullivan of England looks dejected during the quarterfinal match with Mark Allen of Northern Ireland at Snooker Masters 2018 at the Alexandra Palace in London, Britain on Jan. 18, 2018. O'Sullivan lost 1-6. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)
LONDON, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered a shock defeat to eighth seed Mark Allen at the quareterfinals of the Masters snooker tournament here on Thursday.
The 42-year-old was overpowered by Allen 6-1 and had his dream of winning the third consecutive title dashed.
O'Sullivan, who took only 80 minutes to beat Marco Fu 6-0 in the first round two days ago, started well with a break of 75 to take the opening frame but he scored just one point in the next three.
World number two O'Sullivan had a scoring chance early in frame five but made just 16 and Allen's 81 put him 4-1 ahead.
Allen dominated the sixth to extend his advantage. In the seventh he led 48-35 when he missed the last red to a centre pocket. But it mattered little as O'Sullivan's attempted long pot missed by several inches, leaving Allen to add 24 points and clinch victory.
"I was feeling 60% and was hoping Mark would make some mistakes," said O'Sullivan. "I didn't feel good enough physically to go on and win the tournament anyway.
"I'm glad it is over. I don't make excuses and I had to show up, if I was a footballer I would probably have missed this game but it is an individual sport so you have to turn up."
