The seven-time world champion produced some incredible scoring form in a 4-2 win over Pang Junxu in the first round of the World Grand Prix to reach the last 16 at the Morningside Arena in Leicester. Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, and Masters this season, but the world No. 1 admits he is not happy with his game despite his stunning trophy success.
After winning the Masters in London, Ronnie O’Sullivan continued his winning ways in Leicester, defeating Pang Junxu 4-2 in the opening round of the World Grand Prix.
The snooker GOAT, who had won his record-tying eighth Masters championship at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night with a 10-7 victory over Ali Carter, led 3-0 on Tuesday night before world No. 31 Pang fired back with elegant breaks of 90 and 105 to cut the deficit to 3-2
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However, O’Sullivan closed with a commanding 95 to advance to the round of 16, where he will face Zhou Yuelong, who earlier in the day defeated former UK champion Stephen Maguire 4-1.
O’Sullivan, a two-time World Grand Prix winner, has disclosed his schedule for the remainder of the season, which most likely includes missing the German Masters and Welsh Open.
He will play Alfie Burden on Tuesday night in Barnsley with the goal of making it to the World Open’s finals in Yushan (which airs live on Eurosport from Monday, March 18 to Sunday, March 24). He will then play again at the Players Championship in Telford, which will feature the top 16 players from the one-year list, on Monday, February 19 to Sunday, February 26.
The top eight finishers on the one-year list will compete ahead of him in the Tour Championship, which will be held in Manchester from Monday, April 1 to Sunday, April 7.
After this, I’m going to miss a lot more tournaments,” O’Sullivan remarked on ITV. “Although I’ve won competitions, I’m not very satisfied with my performance. Honestly, I shouldn’t have came here. In retrospect, I ought to have bowed on this one as well.However, since I’m here, I’ll try my hardest. I like the China events, so I’m going to attempt to qualify for them.”That’s pretty much it from me. I plan to attend the Players tournament as well, as it seems like a good competition.”
In a season where he has already won the Masters, UK Championship, and Shanghai Masters, O’Sullivan admits he would prefer to play well than win events.
