“
Ronnie O’Sullivan advanced to the third round of the International Championship with a 6-2 victory over local favorite He Guoqiang in Nanjing; O’Sullivan explained after the match why he believes he remains a popular figure in snooker
Last update: 04/11/24 2:21pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan has made a winning start to the International Championship in China
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan believes he remains a fan favorite in snooker and feels he ticks ‘all the boxes’ as a sportsman.
The 48-year-old Briton has had a limited schedule in recent months, with his appearance at the International Championships in China being his first since his loss at the English Open in September, a performance he described as “horrible” and “embarrassing.” .
O’Sullivan skipped the British Open and the Wuhan Open, then withdrew from the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open before the tournament, although he looked sharp as he cruised through the first two rounds in front of packed audiences in Nanjing.
Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you cannot see this Privacy Options
The Englishman began with a 6-3 victory over women’s world number 1 Mink Nutcharut on Sunday, before a convincing 6-2 victory over local favorite He Guoqiang, the player who had eliminated him from the English Open , the next day.
“I get very good support wherever I go around the world,” O’Sullivan, currently world number 5, told the World Snooker Tour after his victory.
Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you cannot see this Privacy Options
“I think that’s just because I’ve been playing the game for so long, for 32 years. I have won many important titles and I think that is what people like, winning the big tournaments, having all the records, in addition to my style of play.
“I have managed to entertain the fans. I’ve had great support, a bit like Jimmy White, but I’ve also had the titles to back it up.
“Anyone who thought I wasn’t a winner, I pretty much have them in my favor. People who just want to see some good snooker, I also have them in my favor.
O’Sullivan is one of the pre-tournament favorites this week in Nanjing
“If you asked 100 snooker fans who they would like to see, probably most of them would say me because I think I tick all the boxes as a sportsman.”
O’Sullivan’s opening match in the tournament against Nutcharut was delayed due to overcrowding at the 1865 Innovation Hall, where he recovered from losing the first frame to make a break of 124 in the next and a 132 later in the meeting.
He also lost the first game against He but took control of the match with breaks of 73, 87, 83 and 70. The Chinese player took a tight sixth frame to reduce his deficit before two more half-century breaks from O’Sullivan They will prepare a confrontation in the round of 16 with Pang Junxu.
“
