Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘not a good player anymore’, but wins first match in Hong Kong

Ronnie O’Sullivan said he was “not a good player anymore”, after the seven-time world champion overcame a slow start, and visible frustrations over his cue tip, to beat Joe O’Connor 5-3 on Wednesday and book a World Grand Prix second-round meeting with Xiao Guodong. Playing just his third match of the year, a subdued and scratchy O’Sullivan trailed his fellow Englishman 2-0 and 3-2, before locating a measure of fluency to win three straight frames and avoid the fate of defending champion Neil Robertson, who was ousted 5-1 by Welshman Jak Jones at Kai Tak Arena. A moment’s silence was staged in honour of John Virgo before the evening session, after the popular former player and commentator died, aged 79. Following his unconvincing victory, O’Sullivan rejected the idea that he was suffering from a paucity of match practice. “It’s just my bad is a lot badder than it used to be, and my good is not as good,” O’Sullivan said. “There was no rustiness, I felt relaxed … I’m just not a very good player anymore”. Despite his damning self-assessment, and being angry enough to chomp off his cue tip “the minute the match finished”, O’Sullivan cut a contented figure when he spoke to the media. A man who frequently questions his hunger for the sport, he pledged “to squeeze as much juice out of the lemon as I can”. “Deep down, I enjoy playing,” O’Sullivan said. “I have to accept [I’m not as good as I was] and find a way to keep playing without it driving me crazy. “I have to manage my frustrations, and hope the snooker gods will be kind and put me to rest when they decide the time is right.” Making his Kai Tak debut, and competing in the city for the first time since he obtained Hong Kong residency in October 2024, O’Sullivan praised the “fantastic venue and match table”, and expressed his hope that the tournament remained in Hong Kong “for a long time”. He would have feared for the longevity of his current stay after O’Connor claimed the opening two frames. O’Sullivan pinched a tight third, then drew level following a break of 65. A run of 58 was enough for O’Connor to edge in front after the interval, but the 30-year-old world No 26 managed only 52 points over the closing three frames. “I have this ability to make people play badly,” O’Sullivan, 50, said. “If I’m bad, they’re waiting for me to play well, but sometimes I don’t.” After opting for a pared down playing calendar, O’Sullivan said he intended to maximise time with his children. “In two years they won’t want to spend time with me,” he said. “All the times I don’t play, it’s because they’re on holiday and I get to see them. “I’ve had my career, I just want to keep playing and enjoy moments with them. I’m sure I’d get wild cards if I fell out of the top 32.” Meanwhile, Jones, the 2024 World Championship runner-up, ruthlessly snuffed out Australian world No 3 Robertson’s hopes of back-to-back titles in a match watched by barely 30 fans on table No 2. The 32-year-old’s win was all the more impressive for the fact he broke his playing right hand late last year. “I was in a cast for five weeks, and didn’t know how it would heal,” Jones said. “I was concerned, and worried how it would affect me, but I feel I’ve got away with it. “I came back just after Christmas, but could only do 20-to-30 minutes a day, and couldn’t play many shots, but the pain’s eased and my confidence has grown.” Jones’ absence threatened his World Grand Prix involvement, but he sneaked in as No 32 seed. “The pressure’s still there, because I want to do well in every tournament but I suppose I’m lucky to be here,” Jones said, adding that he hoped to have a larger audience for his round two match against Zhou Yuelong. “There was nobody there [against Robertson], but it’s never a good sign when Ronnie’s on the next table,” Jones said. Chris Wakelin whitewashed Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, and Si Jiahui of China beat Gary Wilson 5-2. Robertson later posted on social media that he was “so sad to hear about the news of John Virgo’s passing”. “He was a great character and an amazing pundit/commentator,” Robertson said. Mark Selby, the four-time world champion, paid tribute to “a great guy and a huge character.” “He will be greatly missed. RIP JV,” Selby said.

Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘not a good player anymore’, but wins first match in Hong Kong

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Englishman survives slow start against Joe O’Connor to face Xiao Guodong on Thursday, defending champion Neil Robertson beaten in round one

Englishman survives slow start against Joe O’Connor to face Xiao Guodong on Thursday, defending champion Neil Robertson beaten in round one