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RONNIE O'SULLIVAN'S World Open exit was interrupted by a "xylophone" to the confusion of those in attendance.

The Rocket was beaten 5-4 by Hossein Vafaei at the Yushan Sport Centre in China on Thursday.

Ronnie O'Sullivan's World Open clash was interrupted by a 'xylophone'
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Ronnie O'Sullivan's World Open clash was interrupted by a 'xylophone'Credit: Eurosport
O'Sullivan was beaten in the last 16 by Hossein Vafaei on Thursday
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O'Sullivan was beaten in the last 16 by Hossein Vafaei on ThursdayCredit: Getty

However, the contest was not without incident, most notably during the fourth frame.

With the frame already won, O'Sullivan was looking to clear the table when a noise was heard from the crowd.

The sound baffled those inside the venue as well as the Eurosport commentary team.

They even suggested it sounded similar to a xylophone, explaining: "I thought that was someone on the xylophone actually.

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"Maybe it was a phone. I don't know. Don't know why they would have one here."

The incident comes after O'Sullivan had previously shocked the commentary team during his opening match.

He smashed his cue in anger during his first round win over Michael White earlier this week.

O'Sullivan then beat Lyu Haotian in the last 32 to set up his clash with old rival Vafaei.

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The Iranian went on to win the match in a final frame decider to reach the quarter-finals.

Despite the pair's rivalry, they shook hands and embraced at the end of the encounter.

Commentator praises Ronnie O'Sullivan's reaction after crashing out of World Open to arch-rival

Vafaei will now face either Ding Junhui or Shaun Murphy in the last eight.

He will be hoping to go all the way to Sunday's final, where the winner will scoop £170,000 in prize money.

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