Ronnie O’Sullivan beats Jimmy White 3-1
Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Jimmy White in the last 16 of the World Open in Glasgow. The arena was full to capacity as both players are considered two of the most exciting players in the game.
O’Sullivan was the big favourite to progress as he is ranked 60 places higher and is 12 years younger than his opponent.
The first frame was a scrappy affair and White in particular seemed nervous and found it hard to settle. The veteran was cheered when he potted his first red ball, but then missed an easy pink. O’Sullivan was also struggling and failed to capitalise on a
number of White’s errors.
In the second frame, Ronnie O’Sullivan seemed to get into his rhythm and clinched the frame with an impressive break of 88. There seemed as if there was no way back for White, but White showed why he was once one of the greats of the game, when he came from
17-0 down in the frame to win. White cleared the table with some wonderful pots and cue action in what was a faultless frame from the snooker legend.
Both players made mistakes and committed fouls in the fourth frame, but O’Sullivan seized the initiative and ended White’s hopes of reaching the quarter finals.
O’Sullivan went on to praise White after the match. “It’s great to play Jimmy because he’s good to watch, but it’s unfortunate for him that he is good to watch – it means you concentrate throughout rather than switching off. He started nervously, but that’s
only to be expected when you haven’t reached the latter stages of a tournament for a while. Then he got into his rhythm and didn’t look like he would miss. When he plays like that he’s still a top 8 player. ”
White has always been O’Sullivan’s hero in snooker and the former World Champion added, “I don’t like seeing Jimmy lose even if it’s me who is beating him, but you have to go out to try to win the match. You need to treat him like any other opponent, but
he was always my role model and I loved him.”
White will be happy with his tournament and achieving a top 16 finish will be considered a successful tournament for the veteran.
O’Sullivan will meet Stephen Hendry in the quarter final in what should be a fascinating contest. Both men are considered to be two of the greatest players ever and whoever progresses will have a great chance of winning the tournament
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