Ronnie O’Sullivan produced another landmark moment in snooker, compiling the highest break ever recorded in professional competition, a brilliant 153, during his World Open quarter-final clash with Ryan Day in Yushan.

Already the sport’s most prolific maximum maker with 17 career 147s, O’Sullivan went even further this time. A free ball opportunity helped set up the chance, and he capitalised in style, potting 14 blacks and two pinks before clearing the colours to finish on 153. The total left him just two points short of the theoretical maximum break of 155.

Before this achievement, the only break above 147 in professional play was a 148 compiled by Jamie Burnett during qualifying for the UK Championship in 2004. O’Sullivan’s effort surpasses that long-standing mark and also puts him in contention for the £5,000 high-break prize at the World Open.

This latest milestone adds to a remarkable season for the seven-time world champion. Earlier in the campaign, he became just the second player ever to compile two maximum 147 breaks in the same match, achieving the feat in his semi-final at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters against Chris Wakelin. He followed Jackson Page, who had recorded the same rare achievement during the penultimate round of World Championship qualifying.

Additional breaks of 62, 110, 103 and 95 secured a dominant 5-0 victory, sending O’Sullivan into the semi-finals where he will face Wu Yize.