GOOD News: A snooker player acknowledged that his performance was “up there” among the greatest

A snooker player acknowledged that his performance was “up there” among the greatest…

O’Sullivan blasted away a rival who committed only a few errors, which was amazing even by his own extraordinarily high standard. With victories in the UK Championship and the Masters, world number one O’Sullivan has now won 13 straight games. However, this was unquestionably his best performance of the year.

In a thrilling 6-1 victory over Ding Junhui in the Spreadex World Grand Prix semi-finals, Ronnie O’Sullivan said that his performance was “up there” with the finest of his career. He scored four hundreds and two more breaks over 70.

And it sets up an incredible finale in Leicester on Sunday, where he will compete against Judd Trump over 19 frames to win the trophy and the £100,000 top prize. They are without a doubt the top two players in 2023–2024 thus far, and they both plan to win a fourth championship this year. This will be their first encounter since they faced off in the World Championship and Champion of Champions finals in 2022.

O’Sullivan, who has won 40 of the last 62 ranking finals, will be competing in his 63rd one. If he wins, his season’s prize money would be around £900,000, which will surpass Trump’s record of £1,094,000 set in 2019–20.

AP McCoy, the renowned jockey, was present in the crowded stands as O’Sullivan swept to victory in the first frame with a 135 total clearance. Ding, who fell to O’Sullivan in the final of the UK Championship and the opening round of the Masters, answered with an ace of 85, but the Chinese player was unable to contain a player at the top of his game. O’Sullivan, the seven-time Crucible champion, led 3-1 at halftime thanks to breaks of 128 and 79.

In frame five, Ding got the first opportunity, but he missed the pink to a baulk corner on frame 28, and his opponent penalised him by scoring 90. In a match that lasted just 72 minutes, O’Sullivan finished with a flourish after scoring back-to-back centuries, 128 and 124.

O’Sullivan told ITV, “I felt good, I was comfortable tonight.” “Big breaks didn’t bother me, but I thought I could get the ball where I wanted it to go. I find joy in knowing that I felt comfortable about the shoot. I felt at ease and assured because I knew that, unlike the previous two years, I would act if given the opportunity.”

When asked if this was one of his best performances, O’Sullivan said, “I’ve played well, scored goals, and played strong defence in prior sessions. However, it’s above that.

“I know I said earlier this week that I don’t care if I win or lose, but I was simply trying to convey that there are moments when I find it difficult to maintain my motivation to succeed because I feel so upset that it becomes exhausting. However, I always try to mentally put on a professional performance since I realise that people spend a lot of money to see. It is beyond my control whether or not I perform well. I want everyone to know that I’m doing my utmost, not that I’m not trying at all. The reason I keep returning is that both the audience and I had a good time tonight.”

He continued, “I am excited about the best-of-19 match against Judd, who is playing quite well. To stand a chance, I’ll have to play that way. I’ll like it if I can get comfy during the shot.”