Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of next week’s World Grand Prix in Hong Kong for medical reasons.
O’Sullivan was due to face Si Jiahui in the opening round on Wednesday.
Instead he will be replaced by the next player in line, Hossein Vafaei who is 33rd in the Johnstone’s Paint One-Year Rankings.
Vafaei will replace O’Sullivan directly in the draw and will play Si.
The tournament features the leading 32 players of the season so far and will run from March 4th to 9th, staged in Hong Kong for the first time.
O’Sullivan said: ‘I am very disappointed not to be competing.
‘I had been eager to make my comeback in Hong Kong and have put in my utmost effort, but unfortunately must consider my health.
‘I wish to sincerely thank the organisers and all the Hong Kong fans for their support.’
Organisers said they ‘very much regret that Ronnie is not now able to participate, but obviously his health has to be the absolute top priority’.
They added that they remained confident in the tournament’s ‘stellar field of world-class players to enthuse and excite Hong Kong snooker fans’.
Vafaei said: ‘It’s a real shame that Ronnie is not able to play at the moment and I wish him all the best.
He added: ‘I am thrilled to have this opportunity to travel to Hong Kong and compete in such a big tournament. It is a huge and exciting event for all the players.’
