Ronnie O'Sullivan makes brutally honest confession after stunning John Higgins at Shanghai Masters
Ronnie O'Sullivan came from behind to stun John Higgins in their snooker match at the Shanghai Masters
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has admitted John Higgins should have beaten him during their epic snooker showdown at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday.
And the 47-year-old also claimed he was 'really awful' during the match.
Higgins was 5-2 up at one point and seemed destined to reign supreme.
But O'Sullivan then won four frames on the bounce to secure victory and keep his hopes of a fourth straight Shanghai Masters title alive.
John Higgins was leading Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Shanghai Masters before snooker icon mounted a stirring comeback
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Speaking after the game, the Wordsley-born star opened up on his victory and confessed he didn't operate at the peak of his powers.
"He should have put me away really," he admitted.
"He had enough chances, he was 5-2 up and in control of the game and uncharacteristically for John, he didn't finish it off.
"And I think from there he got a little bit disappointed with himself but I didn't expect to do anything because I was really awful."
O'Sullivan was poor in the opening frame, with Higgins able to capitalise to take an early lead.
And not even an 11th century from Higgins could secure victory, with his rival upping the ante to boost his chances of another trophy.
Despite his win, O'Sullivan also conceded that his form hasn't been good enough for around 18 months.
"I've been awful for around 18 months now, been a long time to not really find any form.
"Obviously you start to go through the motions a lot of the time, which isn't nice really, but I've had to do that before so you kind of get used to it.
"It would be nice to come out of that slump and play some decent matches because it's been a long while since I went this long without playing any good snooker.
"It's been useless, to be honest with you."
He continued: "I dunno, I'd rather feel good, lose, than feel bad and win.
"I've always said that and I continue to say that, it's a hard game anyway.
"Well it's not a hard game when you're feeling good, it's the easiest game in the world.
"But when you're not feeling good and you play really bad for 18 months, it's hard to even get your cue out of the case.
"I feel scared just looking at a snooker table and think 'god, this is going to be awful'.
"But I just have to fight and see where it takes me."
When asked if Shanghai can provide encouragement, he added: "Playing like this, if I was playing in one of the UK tournaments, I'd have probably given up.
"Just get out of here as quick as you can.
"But when you have a nice crowd, a nice venue, it forces you to just dig in because you don't really want to lose.
"At this tournament, you give it 100 per cent all the way. I have a good record here, I don't know how many times I've won it, but it'd be nice to get to the final."
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Snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan is aiming for more glory at the Shanghai Masters after John Higgins win
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He finished the interview with Eurosport by saying: "I don't mean to entertain, I just play the way I play."
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