The Rocket has his eye on a third straight title – and these are the men who will be trying to stop him
UK Snooker Championship, from Saturday 30 November, 1.15pm, BBC
Last year at the UK Championship, Ronnie O’Sullivan made history. Now he wants to do it all over again. The Rocket won his seventh title inside York’s historic city walls in 2018, putting him ahead of Steve Davis for the all-time record. And in 2019 he can become the first player since Stephen Hendry in 1996 to win three on the bounce.
However, this is going to be anything but a cakewalk. O’Sullivan’s form has been patchy this year – and that’s being kind – and there is a throng of talented players lurking by the baize, ready to pounce on any mistake. And by “pounce”, we mean slowly walk to the table after taking a sip of water first.
We’ve rounded up the five men who could prove the biggest threat to Ronnie’s ambitions, from past champs to players who have had his number before…
When is the UK Championship on TV?
Coverage of the 2019 UK Championship starts on Saturday 30 November at 1.15pm on the red button (CH 991) and runs until Sunday 8 December. You can watch it on the red button, BBC Two HD (CH 102) and BBC iPlayer.
TV channels: Channels, content and features available depend on your chosen package. Channel line-ups and content are subject to change at any time and to regional variations.
HD: HD TV set, VHD Box. TiVo box or Virgin TV V6 connected with HDMI cables required for HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package.
Catch Up TV: Catch Up TV content available for up to 7 days or up to 30 days after broadcast, depending on content.
On Demand: Content available to view depends on TV package. Time limits apply for viewing chargeable On Demand content – see virginmedia.com. Once purchased, all chargeable On Demand content must be viewed within 48 hours. Premium channels and upgrades must be kept for at least 30 days.