Ronnie O’Sullivan, the legendary snooker player, made quite a scene during his match against Jak Jones at the Xi’an Grand Prix in China. Leading 59-0 in the first frame of the last-16 match, O’Sullivan suddenly demanded a new black ball. He was clearly not pleased with the one in play and immediately raised his concerns to the officials. Despite some back-and-forth, O’Sullivan eventually agreed to continue with the same ball for the rest of the frame, but not without insisting on a new one for the following frames.
The TNT Sports commentator, Phillip Studd, speculated on the issue with the black ball and noted O’Sullivan’s displeasure. He even mentioned a possible indentation on the ball, which could have been the cause of O’Sullivan’s dissatisfaction. O’Sullivan’s co-commentator, Fergus O’Brien, also highlighted the snooker star’s unease with the black ball. However, O’Sullivan, known for his perfectionism and focus during matches, decided to polish off the current set of balls before requesting a replacement for the next frame. Despite the minor hiccup, O’Sullivan went on to secure a 5-2 victory over Jones, setting up a quarter-final clash with Gary Wilson.
As O’Sullivan aims to end his 21-month title drought and win the Xi’an Grand Prix, he remains cautious not to let his recent good form distract him. The 49-year-old acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the game and the need to stay grounded even during successful periods. While expressing satisfaction with his performance throughout the season, O’Sullivan remains wary of the challenges that may arise in the future. With a quarter-final match against Wilson looming, O’Sullivan is focused on maintaining his momentum and approaching each game with the right mindset.
