Ronnie O’Sullivan eases into the last 32 of the Welsh Open

The Welsh Open is being shown live on Eurosport all week and Eurosport’s expert line-up includes five-time world champion Ronnie “The Rocket” O’Sullivan, six-time World Championship finalist Jimmy “The Whirlwind” White, 1986 world champion Joe Johnson and former world No. 3 Neal Foulds.

Neil Robertson booked his place in the final of the 2016 Welsh Open after disposing Mark Allen 6-4 in Cardiff on Saturday.

Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan was at the centre of a controversy on Tuesday (16 February) when he admitted to turning down a chance for a 147 break at the Welsh Open, resulting in many fans and officials criticising the Englishman for his unprofessional behaviour.

When asked about Ding’s 147 O’Sullivan, who holds the record for most maximum breaks with 13 to date, joked: “He’s let the lads down; I’m very disappointed with Ding”. I don’t think I need to go back to school for maths lessons, but in the heat of the moment I wasn’t expecting the chance and forgot myself.

O’Sullivan wrapped up the victory with a 132 break but that paled in comparison as Ding Junhui made the sixth maximum 147 break of his career despite losing 5-2 to Australia’s Robertson. “After the interval I came out and played brilliantly”.

Due to the tight nature of the call, the referee used replay to confirm that Allen had fouled on the red and Robertson duly cleared up to narrow his deficit to 2-1 – an incident he believes swung the match his way.

Afterwards O’Sullivan insisted he had no regrets about resisting the shot at a maximum, having described the £10,000 prize on offer for the feat as “too cheap”.

“To make a “max” is a massive achievement, but there’s only £10,000 for it”.

Ding’s clearance was not the start of a comeback as Robertson, the 2010 world champion, sealed victory in a seventh frame he won 83-1. “Ding got it and it’s fantastic”. It was a good professional performance today, I was happy with my mindset.

O’Sullivan said: “I don’t see what’s wrong in just bringing a form of entertainment and making it a little bit light hearted because it can be a serious game”.