HOME favourite Matthew Stevens beat Ronnie O’Sullivan for the first time in 12 years to knock the defending champion out of the BetVictor Welsh Open snooker.

Carmarthen cue ace Stevens edged a topsy-turvy encounter 4-3 at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena to record his first victory over O’Sullivan since 2003.

The 37-year-old came from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 and was thankful that five-time world champion O’Sullivan missed a simple yellow to win the match when he led 3-2.

“It wasn’t a high quality match but I don’t really care to be honest,” said Stevens.

“I hadn’t beaten Ronnie for so many years so I’ll take any win.

“I don’t remember the last time I beat him. I was probably about the same age as my boy Freddie!”

Stevens joins Gwent star Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy in ending long losing streaks to O’Sullivan in recent months.

“I think he must feel sorry for us,” joked the two-time world championship runner-up.

“Ronnie’s a bit like Roger Federer in tennis; not many people have good records against him.

“When I first turned pro at 19 or 20 I think I had the upper hand against him but for the past 12 years he’s beaten me every time.

“I shouldn’t have won – he missed an easy yellow – but that’s the way it is sometimes.

“It’s only the best of seven,” he added. “It’s a toss of a coin really and I’m not getting carried away myself but I’m looking forward to my next game.

“The crowd were fantastic. I haven’t really done myself justice at the Welsh Open over the years but I’m in the last 16 now and I feel good.

“In the past I would have been afraid to go out there and play but I felt comfortable and I enjoyed it.”

World number one O’Sullivan, who earlier in the week criticised the tournament’s move from Newport to Cardiff, was magnanimous in defeat.

“You win, you win, you lose, you lose…you can’t win them all and you have to accept the losses as well take the wins,” said the 39-year-old star.

“Matthew played a good game and deserved his win. I am pleased to have been involved.

“He has had a lean few years, he’s a great player and has underachieved really – he was playing at home in Wales and in Cardiff.

“Credit to him and I say well done, unfortunate for me but that’s snooker. You win some and you lose some.”