Ronnie O'Sullivan competes during the semifinal between Ronnie O'Sullivan of England and Wu Yize of China at World Snooker Open 2026 in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Junwu)

NANCHANG, South China, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Ronnie O'Sullivan stormed into the semifinals of the 2026 Snooker World Open with a 5-0 whitewash of Ryan Day in Yushan, South China's Jiangxi Province on Friday.

"The Rocket" made a 153 break in the opening frame that set a new highest single-break record in snooker history. Joining him in the final four are world No. 1 Judd Trump, Chinese rising star Wu Yize and Thai veteran Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

The English icon's sensational 153 clearance shattered the previous 22-year-old mark of 148 set by Jamie Burnett of Scotland in 2004.

Wu cruised past Northern Irish veteran Mark Allen with a convincing 5-1 victory. The 22-year-old fired a magnificent break of 140 in the second frame to set the tone for the match.

Thepchaiya notched up a dominant 5-1 win over England's Gary Wilson, while Trump eased past Iran's Hossein Vafaei by an identical 5-1 scoreline to round out the semifinal lineup. ■

Ronnie O'Sullivan reacts during the semifinal between Ronnie O'Sullivan of England and Wu Yize of China at World Snooker Open 2026 in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Junwu)

Wu Yize (R) competes during the semifinal between Ronnie O'Sullivan of England and Wu Yize of China at World Snooker Open 2026 in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Junwu)

Ronnie O'Sullivan (R) talks with Wu Yize after the semifinal between Ronnie O'Sullivan of England and Wu Yize of China at World Snooker Open 2026 in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Junwu)