Welsh Open: Ricky Walden knocks Ronnie O'Sullivan out in last 16

A close up of Ronnie O'Sullivan on the left and Ricky Walden on the right — Ronnie O'Sullivan is currently third and Ricky Walden is currently eighth on the one year ranking list

The 2022 BetVictor Welsh Open
Venue: Celtic Manor Resort, Newport Dates: 28 February - 6 March
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app. Highlights on BBC Two Wales, online and the BBC Red Button.

Four-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan said he had "no complaints" after being beaten 4-3 by Ricky Walden in the last 16 of the Welsh Open.

Walden will face fellow Englishman Joe Perry in the quarter-finals.

Former world champions Judd Trump of England and Australia's Neil Robertson will also meet in the last eight.

In the other quarter-finals, China's Zhang Anda will play Iranian Hossein Vafaei, while Ali Carter faces Jack Lisowski in an all-England match.

There are no Welsh players left in their home tournament after Matthew Stevens, Ryan Day and Michael White were all knocked out in the last 16.

Ronnie bows out

O'Sullivan's hopes of a record-equalling fifth Welsh Open title were dashed, despite a comeback from 3-1 down to take the match to a decider.

It was a closely fought encounter with Walden making a superb 136 break in the fourth frame.

"He played a great match, a great break in the last frame, a brilliant pink. He deserved his victory," said O'Sullivan.

"I'm over the moon for Ricky. There's some real nice guys on the circuit and he's one of them, I could never begrudge him any of his wins.

"I'm buzzing for him, he's been through a lot, he's a fighter and it's good to see him back playing well and enjoying the game."

Walden, 39, who has struggled with a back injury in the past, continues his current great form to reach his fifth ranking quarter-final of the season.

"It's been well documented that I was injured for a while, my confidence went and my ranking went," said Walden.

"I feel as though I'm on my way back now, I feel as though I've stabilised. I'm playing some good stuff and I've just got to keep working hard.

"It's satisfying just to be out in the arena, let alone winning.

"It was a good match to play in. When you are playing Ronnie and you're both going for shots it's an enjoyable game to play and pleased to come over the line in the end."

Six-time world champion O'Sullivan had beaten Ding Junhui in the last 32.

World number three Trump breezed through his last 16 match 4-1 against fellow Englishman Jimmy Robertson.

Trump, who made two century breaks, believes he is now close to his best form.

"I think this week my game is a bit more like how I was playing in the last two seasons," said Trump who will be looking to reach his first ranking semi-final of the season on Friday.

"I'm still making a couple more mistakes but it is somewhere close.

"If I can cut out these little easy mistakes, especially against the top players, I have a good chance. I feel like I'm one tournament away from getting back to my absolute best."

Robertson keeps his bid to win his fourth title this season alive with a 4-1 win against world number 47 Ben Woollaston, who had earlier beaten world number nine Barry Hawkins 4-3.

Snooker Shoot-out champion Vafaei is also through to the quarter-finals after beating Welshman Day 4-3.

Vafaei had earlier beaten Cwmbran's Jak Jones 4-0, while Day had knocked out the 2020 winner Shaun Murphy 4-0.

Stevens was beaten 4-2 by China's Zhang Anda and amateur Michael White, despite a strong 4-1 last 32 win over Liam Highfield, was defeated 4-0 by Lisowski.

World number five Kyren Wilson is also out as he was beaten 4-1 by fellow Englishman Perry.

Wilson is the second seed Perry has overcome as he came through a tense final frame decider to beat Mark Allen in the last 32.

Carter, the 2009 champion, won four frames on the trot to book his place in the quarter-finals, dispatching Scott Donaldson 4-2.