Ronnie O'Sullivan returns to competitive main tour action for the first time since the World Championship in April as he begins his bid for a record-extending sixth Shanghai Masters title on Monday.
The Rocket faces Chinese amateur Liu Linhao, one of four wildcards in the invitational event, with the winner set to face off against top seed and defending champion Kyren Wilson in the last 16.
O'Sullivan won the most recent of his five Shanghai titles in 2023, beating fellow world champs John Higgins, Mark Selby and Luca Brecel along the way, and he should have few problems against the talented teenager.
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Liu Linhao Tips Summary
Best Bet - Ronnie O'Sullivan to win 6-1 @ 7/4
Alternative Bet - Match Centuries - 1 @ 2/1
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Liu Linhao Prediction
Best Bet: Ronnie O'Sullivan to win 6-1 @ 7/4
This should be a formality for O'Sullivan against his 17-year-old Chinese opponent, with these two cuemen having never previously met in a competitive match.
The Rocket lost a second-round tie for the ages at the World Championship in April as John Higgins produced some epic snooker to win 13-12 and O'Sullivan's subsequent participation and victory in the World Seniors event didn't sit well with all observers.
He's now back in action on the main tour and seemingly retains his desire for top-level snooker despite his 51st birthday looming in December.
O'Sullivan is a record five-time winner of this event and has labelled China 'the best place on Earth' as he makes more time to play in Asia.
He is, of course, incredibly popular and will receive a hero's welcome in this, the first evening session of the 2026 Shanghai Masters.
His teenage opponent could become overwhelmed stepping into the arena with the greatest player of all time.
Compatriot Tang Hewen was dismissed 6-0 by Chris Wakelin in the tournament's opening match, while Yao Dongcheng went down 6-2 against Chinese icon Ding Junhui.
Given that O'Sullivan has been out of competitive action since May, there may well be some rustiness and that should help Liu to at least avoid the whitewash.
Alternative Bet: Match Centuries - 1 @ 2/1
The opening skirmishes suggest that high scoring is possible in Shanghai, with the tables receptive for break builders.
Ding knocked in breaks of 140, 125 and 103 to delight the home crowd in his smooth opening success, while Barry Hawkins twice compiled breaks of 121 in the early stages of his clash with Lei Peifan.
O'Sullivan is a wonderful break builder and can bring some joy to his legion of fans with a century here. That rustiness is always a worry, however, so it might be just the one ton-plus break.
The Essex man was a 6-5 winner in his Shanghai opener 12 months ago against Hawkins before bowing out 6-3 to Wilson and he failed to muster a century break.
A vintage display here seems unlikely, but the crowd-pleasing O'Sullivan should score heavily nonetheless.
Key Match Stats
Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the Shanghai Masters a record five times, landing the title in 2009, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023
The Rocket failed to make a century break in this tournament last season as he exited in the quarter-finals, losing 6-3 to Kyren Wilson
O'Sullivan was knocked out of the World Championship 13-12 by John Higgins in April, before winning the World Seniors title in May
Chinese amateur Liu Linhao turns 18 in August and received a wild card entry into this tournament
Liu came close to earning a WST Tour Card at the 2025 Asia & Oceania Q School, losing 4-0 against Chatchapong Nasa in the event one decider
O'Sullivan has not won a ranking tournament since January 2024
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
