Ronnie O'Sullivan puts Ding Junhui win 'up there' with best of his career after making World Grand Prix final

Ronnie O'Sullivan puts Ding Junhui win 'up there' with best of his career after making World Grand Prix final

WATCH NOW: Ronnie O'Sullivan wins the Masters

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 21/01/2024

- 08:31

The Rocket cruised to a 6-1 victory in Leicester

Ronnie O'Sullivan has claimed his 6-1 victory over Ding Junhui on Saturday night is 'up there' with the best performances of his glittering career.

The 48-year-old was far too strong for his opponent and will now lock horns with Judd Trump in the final of the competition on Sunday.


O'Sullivan was asked about his excellent performance after the game.

And the veteran admitted he was happy with the way he played, telling ITV: "I felt alright tonight.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan was delighted after beating Ding Junhui to make the final of the World Grand Prix

GETTY

"Just tidy. Just every shot, I felt in control. I wasn't bothered about big breaks," he said.

"I felt like I could get the ball to go where I wanted it to go most times.

"I felt good over the shot. I felt like if I was given a chance, I might make something.

"I felt relaxed and confident tonight. I'm up for every match I play, I play the table, play the balls and it was a big occasion playing Ding.

"I knew I had to play well. I've played a few sessions where I've played good stuff, but it was up there.

"People pay good money to come and watch. Sometimes it is hard to keep the stamina.

"No matter what I say or how I feel, I always put on a professional display mentally. I don't want people to think I'm not trying.

"It is tough. I'm trying my hardest even when the game comes difficult to you, but it felt nice tonight.

"The crowd enjoyed it and I enjoyed it. That's what keeps you coming back when you put on a good performance."

On his upcoming final clash with Trump, O'Sullivan admitted he needed to be at his best to secure glory.

"I'm looking forward to the final playing Judd, who is playing fantastically well," he said.

"I need to play somewhere like that to have a chance of winning.

"If I can play well and feel comfortable over the shot, I'll enjoy the match no matter what happens."

O'Sullivan has repeatedly insisted he's not as good as he used to be.

But his victory over Ding suggests otherwise and the Rocket earned praise from ITV commentators for his display.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Ding Junhui in emphatic fashion on Saturday night

PA

Former world champion Ken Doherty told ITV4 that it was the best session of snooker that he'd ever seen.

He added: “He’s such an artist, such a genius. It’s artistic, poetic, it’s balletic.

"It’s like snooker from the gods without a shadow of a doubt.”

And co-commentator and former Masters champion Alan McManus added: “I’ve seen it and I don’t believe it.

“It was mind-boggling. It was actually one of those ‘I was there’ nights because frankly it cannot get any better that that.

Ding Junhui

Ronnie O'Sullivan stormed past Ding Junhui with the snooker star operating on a different level to his opponent

PA

“From the very start to the very end it was perfection.”

O'Sullivan has won the World Grand Prix twice in the past.

He beat Ding in the final in 2018, cruising to a 10-3 victory.

And he edged a thriller against Neil Robertson in 2021, securing the prize with a 10-8 win in Coventry.

You may like