Matthew Stevens ends Ronnie O'Sullivan's hopes of retaining Welsh

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan saw his BetVictor Welsh Open title defence end at the hands of Matthew Stevens at the third-round stage.

O’Sullivan was edged out 4-3 by the Welshman at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena after surrendering a 2-0 lead.

Stevens got himself back into the match by edging a scrappy third frame before levelling with a break of 80 in the fourth.

O’Sullivan took the next to move within sight of victory but then missed a crucial yellow to allow Stevens back to 3-3 and the home favourite prevailed in the decider.