Ronnie O’Sullivan meets Ding Junhui in the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix..
Ronnie O’Sullivan could have beaten Gary Wilson 5-1 to book his place in the World Grand Prix final four, but he remains concerned about his form. The 48-year-old has already won the Shanghai Masters, the UK Championship and the 2024 Masters title, and the latest victory extended his winning streak to 12 consecutive matches..
And yet “The Rocket” appeared anything but satisfied with his versatile game. After a 4-3 second-round win against Yuelong Zhou, he hinted at his retirement, saying: “I’m not sure snooker is my goal anymore. He also said that he does not enjoy tournaments now..
“I don’t understand it,” he told ITV. “I really have to think if I can keep feeling and feeling out there. I’m just not enjoying the way I’m hitting the ball.”And despite appearing to rise against Wilson, he later disappointed again, suggesting that only the results prevented him from breaking the streak. “I haven’t bowled well since I won the 2022 World Cup, it’s a concern because I haven’t bowled well since the hand injury,” he said..
“Technically I have to be one of the worst players on tour but it’s not just technical ability or Neil Robertson would be winning every tournament. There are other parts of the game that I’ve been blessed with that I don’t even recognize that I’m good at.
“I think I’m a good all-rounder, my bad game is still at a high level – it must be because I’ve won tournaments without being at my best. That and maybe my biggest asset. I play the right shot at the right time, I’m aggressive when I have to be and defensive when I have to.”.
Of course, complaining about O’Sullivan’s own game and insinuating about walking is nothing new for snooker fans. The all-time great has often wavered on his announced plans over the past decade. He remains the clear favorite to win a record eighth world title at the Crucible in May..
However, his next challenge is a semi-final meeting with Ding Junhui at Leicester’s Morningside Arena on Saturday. It is a repeat of the British Championship final in December, which O’Sullivan won 10-7.The pair also met in the 2018 Grand Prix final, a game dominated by the Englishman, winning 10-3. The winner will face Judd Trump on Sunday and in the final..
