Ronnie gets rocket from world No.51

Ronnie O’Sullivan suffered a shock second-round exit at the China Open after losing a final-frame decider to world No.51 Mark Joyce.

Despite producing two century breaks, the five-time world champion never led in the match and was eventually knocked out 5-4 as Joyce set up a last-16 meeting with home favourite Ding Junhui.

Joyce made a 137 clearance in the seventh frame to move 4-3 ahead after O’Sullivan shot a break of 132, but the Rocket came back to level at four apiece to set up a decider, which Joyce then took with 62 points to 34.

Chinese player Ding progressed in emphatic style, hitting successive centuries of 109 and 127 in the opening two frames on his way to a 5-0 whitewash of compatriot Zhou Yuelong.

O’Sullivan was not the only big-name casualty as two-time World Championship finalist Ali Carter surrendered a 3-2 advantage to lose 5-3 against world No.28 Michael White.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will all be seeking new main sponsors, with Vauxhall ending a seven-year partnership with the home nations after the 2018 World Cup.

The car manufacturer has been the leading sponsor for the four nations since 2011, but revealed yesterday that the agreements would come to an end next summer.

There could still be scope for further sponsorships, with the Football Association hopeful of “a lower-level partnership”.

Vauxhall said in its statement that it had “agreed to explore other opportunities to continue its relationship with the FAs”.

Jo Pavey is set to receive the first global medal of her career – 10 years late – after it was confirmed she would be upgraded to 10,000 metres bronze at the 2007 World Championships.

The 43-year-old will be promoted from fourth place at the Osaka championships after world governing body the IAAF announced that Turkish silver medallist Elvan Abeylegesse had been disqualified for doping.

The Turk will also lose her 5,000m and 10,000 silver medals from the 2008 Olympics.