Jamie Broughton
BBC 5 Live Snooker Reporter
This is the second year running the record eight-time champion has been forced to withdraw from the Masters on medical grounds.
And he’ll be very disappointed to miss out on playing in one of his favourite tournaments. This Triple Crown event only features the world’s top-16 ranked players and is one of the most prestigious tournaments to win.
O’Sullivan always receives an incredible reception when he plays at Ally Pally, and many snooker fans were looking forward to watching his match against the two-time winner Neil Robertson on Wednesday night – which was arguably the pick of the first-round action.
Robertson will now face Wakelin, who has played well this season, having already won the Scottish Open.