Ronnie O'Sullivan has begun his 34th professional snooker campaign with a dramatic last-frame victory, defeating Barry Hawkins 6-5 at the Shanghai Masters round of 16.
The 49-year-old's triumph marks his first competitive outing since marrying actress Laila Rouass in East London last month.
The seven-time world champion required a deciding frame to overcome Hawkins in the high-stakes encounter, which carries a £210,000 top prize.
O'Sullivan rated his display as his finest since claiming his seventh world title at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in 2022.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is still in honeymoon mode after a dramatic victory at the Shanghai Masters
|PA
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with Kyren Wilson as O'Sullivan seeks early-season silverware in China.
The match saw O'Sullivan recover from trailing 3-2 to establish a 5-3 advantage, showcasing his resilience with breaks of 94, 94, 90 and 89.
Hawkins, the 46-year-old from Kent, refused to surrender and forced the contest into an 11th frame with a century break of 106 - his 501st career ton.
Despite failing to register a century himself in the new campaign, O'Sullivan secured the decisive frame to advance in the tournament.
The victory provided redemption for O'Sullivan, who had fallen to Hawkins at November's UK Championship in York.
During the sixth frame, frustration briefly surfaced as O'Sullivan struck the table twice with his fist.
O'Sullivan expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating: "I played probably the best I have played for maybe since I won the World Championship in 2022."
He acknowledged the competitive nature of the encounter, adding: "That was a good performance. I could have lost it as well."
The veteran player, who has been competing with a replacement cue since breaking his preferred one in January, praised the playing conditions despite Shanghai's humidity.
"The table played OK with the humidity," he noted, though expressing uncertainty about conditions for the remainder of the week.
His quarter-final opponent Wilson awaits as O'Sullivan pursues the substantial £210,000 winner's cheque.
O'Sullivan's Shanghai appearance comes weeks after exchanging vows with long-term partner Laila Rouass, 53, in a ceremony on Cable Street in Shadwell.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan and Laila Rouass recently married after previously splitting last year | INSTAGRAMThe couple, who initially became engaged in 2013, had separated last September before reconciling ten months later.
Rouass, known for her roles in Footballers' Wives and EastEnders, chose the East London location to honour her Moroccan and Indian heritage.
The pair first crossed paths when the actress viewed a property belonging to the snooker star, with his father conducting the viewing.
O'Sullivan has three children from previous relationships, whilst the newlyweds are reportedly planning a relocation to Dubai.
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