Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan kicked off his quest for an unprecedented eighth UK Championship title with a resilient 6-2 victory over Anthony McGill in York.

The 47-year-old, who claimed his first UK Championship title in 1993 at the age of 17, faced an initial 2-0 deficit against McGill. However, O’Sullivan displayed his renowned composure and skill, securing six consecutive frames to secure the win. His opponent in the second round will be compatriot Robert Milkins, who narrowly defeated Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 6-5.

Reflecting on his enduring career, O’Sullivan acknowledged the challenges of lengthy matches but emphasized the importance of resilience and determination, especially at this stage of his career.

“I find the matches quite long and hard now. The more I play, if I win two or three matches in a tournament, you get used to it, but I find it harder to concentrate and have the hunger. Against someone like Anthony, it’s not about playing well, it’s about digging deep and out battling them. That’s hard at my stage,” O’Sullivan stated in a post-match interview with the BBC.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of his first UK title, O’Sullivan expressed gratitude for the unexpected longevity of his career. “You get to the point where you think, ‘I’ll just keep going as long as I can now.’ It’s like having a second life,” he remarked.

In another notable match, 48-year-old John Higgins secured a 6-3 victory over Joe O’Connor, advancing to the second round where he will face Zhou Yuelong. Zhou earned his spot by defeating three-time UK champion Neil Robertson with a convincing 6-2 scoreline.

The defending champion, Mark Allen, faced an early exit this year, losing 6-5 to Ding Junhui in a repeat of the 2022 final. The UK Championship promises more intense competition as the tournament progresses.