- Ronnie O’Sullivan has made the 14th maximum break of his professional career
- It came during Tuesday’s China Open first-round match against Elliot Slessor
- Despite his 147, world No 2 O’Sullivan was beaten 6-2 by 23-year-old Slessor
- O’Sullivan will take home £42,000 for his 147 which came in the fifth frame
Ronnie O’Sullivan chalked up his 14th maximum 147 break – but was still knocked out in the first round of the China Open 6-2 by Elliot Slessor.
O’Sullivan, 42, produced the perfect clearance in the fifth frame to secure the £42,000 prize fund.
However, it was 23-year-old Slessor who progressed, having earlier opened up a 4-0 lead before going on to secure his place in the second round at the expense of the world No 2.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, 42, made the 14th maximum break of his professional career on Tuesday
There was also another unexpected result in Beijing, as Chris Wakelin coasted past Shaun Murphy, the world No 7, with a 6-0 victory.
World No 1 Mark Selby, though, had no such problems as the defending title holder saw off Scott Donaldson 6-4, having cleared 16 reds in the second frame on his way to a break of 141.
In the other evening matches, home favourite Ding Junhui – the world No 4 – beat Craig Steadman 6-4, with Australian Neil Robertson, Mark King, Xiao Guodong, Kyren Wilson and Welshman Michael White also progressing to round two.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Scotland’s John Higgins, the world No 5, saw off Martin O’Donnell 6-2, while Irishman Fergal O’Brien edged out Stephen Maguire 6-5 as Barry Hawkins, Graeme Dott and China’s Yan Bingtao also advanced.
The China Open is the last event ahead of the 2018 World Championship in Sheffield, which begins on April 21.
Despite his 147, O’Sullivan was knocked out of the China Open, losing 6-2 to Elliot Slessor, 23
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