O’Sullivan through but ‘nowhere near’ best level

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world champion, claimed that despite only needing 17 minutes to complete the one frame required to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championship, he was “nowhere near” his best level.

After Sunday’s second session, O’Sullivan, 49, held a 12-point lead over China’s Pang Junxu, and the frame’s first 17 points led to a 95-point break on Monday evening.

O’Sullivan, a fan favorite, won his first two competitive games after taking his cue and throwing it into a bin at the Championship League event in January, winning 10-4 over Ali Carter and 13-4 against Pang.

The Englishman has stated that he is trying to “rebuild” his game and has not competed for three months.

O’Sullivan was unhappy with his performance despite advancing to the eighth Crucible world title, which was still on pace for.

When asked to rate his current level of play against a ten, he responded with “two” and said that he would need to improve if he wanted to win the tournament.

He continued, “I need game time and I’m attempting to get my game back.

As long as I play my game, I don’t care who I play. I always back myself if I can play at or above my best level, regardless of who is in the chair.

It can click at any time, but I’m not sure if that’s even close.

The 2023 champion, Luca Brecel, also won in a hurry, only needing one frame to defeat 2016 runner-up Ding, who finished second.

Ding won the opening frame, but Brecel won 11 more to take complete control. On Sunday, Ding won three of the final four frames, but he was unable to earn a point on Monday.

O’Sullivan will face China’s Si Jiahui, who reached the semi-finals two years ago, while Brecel will now face 2019 champion Judd Trump in the quarter-finals.

Brecel said, “I felt quite good, but not at all good enough to win.”

Steve Davis, a six-time champion, said the Belgian was one of the most entertaining players at the tournament in a statement to BBC TV.

You can’t teach Luca’s attitude toward the game and his ability to play without worrying about missing a ball, Davis said.

World No. 1 defeated Shaun Murphy’s comeback earlier on Monday to end a thrilling last-16 tussle.

When Trump took the lead 12-6, Murphy capitalized by capturing four frames straight after missing a red in the middle pocket.

However, 2019 champion Trump held his ground for a 13-10 victory in the 23rd frame.

If he wins the world title, which is worth $500,000, the 35-year-old could become the first player to top $2 million in prize money in a single season.

Shaun was in a world of his own for four or five frames, according to Trump, who spoke to BBC Two.

“In the past, I’ve been a little hard on myself, but now I’m much more resilient mentally and have come to terms with the losses as motivation.”

This year, I’m much more confident and hitting the ball much better. I feel much more confident in myself and feel much more at ease.

He continued, “Practically every day you play], and you are looking to that next session every time.” On his chances of a second world title, he continued.

China’s Si defeated England’s Ben Woollaston, who defeated fourth seed Mark Selby in the first round, to advance to the quarter-finals in the other match of the afternoon session.

Si made it to the semi-finals two years ago, but he lost to eventual champion Brecel 17-15 after letting a 14-5 lead slip.

After coming back from 9-7 behind to win 10-10, Woollaston, 44th in the world, felt like he had missed a wonderful opportunity to recover from.

He stated, “I was 9-7 down and unsure of how. Because I had so many frames to win, I should have been 10-6 up.

Quarter-finals (best frame out of 25 frames, no final decision).

10: 00 BST

Chris Wakelin vs. Zhao Xintong

Mark Williams (6) vs. John Higgins (3)

14:30

Ronnie O’Sullivan (5) v Si Jiahui (13)

Judd Trump v. Luca Brecel (2)

19:00

Chris Wakelin vs. Zhao Xintong