Ronnie O’Sullivan says he does not “want to throw in the towel just yet” after being beaten 6-3 by Chang Bingyu in the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open on Friday.

The seven-time world champion fought back against China Open winner Mark Selby in the quarter-finals on Thursday to seal a 5-3 victory, but he has spoken candidly at this week’s ranking event about his struggles.

O’Sullivan has taken steps to prioritise his mental health in recent years, withdrawing from tournaments and discussing his battles with depression and anxiety.

“The disease came back big time today,” said the 50-year-old Englishman. “If I’m honest I don’t think I will ever get over it.”

O’Sullivan, who has not won a ranking event for more than two years, added: “I will see out the next 18 months and see how we go. I don’t want to throw the towel in just yet. I’ve committed to playing until then.

“I want to give myself a chance. I’d hate to finish my career on performances like that.”

O’Sullivan lost the opening two frames against Chang but pulled himself back into the match to head into the mid-session break level at 2-2.

When play resumed, China’s Chang took control, winning two frames in a row to lead 4-2.

O’Sullivan pulled one back but breaks of 69 and 48 in the following frames booked Chang a place in Saturday’s final – and his first win against ‘The Rocket’.

“Every time I play against Ronnie, it’s a pleasure,” said 24-year-old Chang.

“He probably wasn’t in the best form today, and I managed to take some of the opportunities that came my way.”

Chang will face new world number one Zhao Xintong in the final after he dashed Xiao Guodong’s hopes of winning in Wuhan for the third successive year.

Zhao, who won the world title in 2025, took the opening two frames before being pegged back to 2-2.

However, he made two half-centuries as he reeled off the next four frames and constructed a superb break of 124 to round off his 6-2 victory.