Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the D88.com European Masters ahead of the opening day of qualifying in Preston.

The five-time world champion was due to face Eden Sharav in the qualifying round at the Guild Hall on Friday. Sharav now receives a bye to the final stages of the tournament in Lommel, Belgium in October.

O’Sullivan had won the event once before, defeating Stephen Hendry 9-6 in the decider in Malta back in 2003. ‘The Rocket’ hasn’t played competitively since losing to Ali Carter at the World Championship in the second round back in April.

David Gilbert will be looking to pick himself up on Friday when he faces Robbie Williams in Preston. Gilbert, ranked 20th in the world, missed out on the chance to claim the maiden ranking event win of his career when he lost the deciding frame to Mark Williams in Sunday Yushan World Open final in China.

The world champion was on the ropes when Gilbert established a 9-5 advantage but Williams battled his way back into the contest and that resulted in the Englishman losing his way at the conclusion. Gilbert conceded the occasion has potentially got to him against Williams, though he vowed to move on this week in Preston.

“I’m confused about what happened because I felt fine at 9-5. I butchered a red in that frame then it turned around. In the last frame I didn’t feel good, I couldn’t get position and I missed a red I would normally pot,” he said.

“The occasion got to me. I’m playing in the qualifiers [this] week so we go again.”

Gilbert is 1.40 to defeat William in Preston, with the latter priced at 2.70 for the win.