O'Sullivan made his 14th career total maximum break at the China Open in the match against Elliot Slessor, although he ultimately lost 2–6. He ended the season on a disappointing note, losing in the World Championship to rival Ali Carter, in an ill-tempered match that saw the players shoulder-barge each other when passing at the table. This was the first time Carter had beaten O'Sullivan in a professional match, besides a win in the group stages of the non-ranking 2010 Championship League.