Ronnie O’Sullivan (Picture: Getty Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan said there was a string of issues which left him ‘unsettled’ in his final session against John Higgins, despite wrapping up a comfortable 17-11 win over his old rival in the World Championship semi-finals.
The Rocket booked his spot in the Crucible final where he will meet Judd Trump in a bid to win a seventh world title and equal Stephen Hendry’s record in doing so.
After a tricky opening session when both players struggled with the conditions, O’Sullivan largely dominated the contest, with Higgins struggling for his best form throughout.
The fine victory for the Rocket was by no means tainted, but he said he was put off by a few things in the final session on Saturday night.
The 46-year-old said his seat was wet in the arena, leaving him ‘drenched’, he forgot his chalk and also claimed that he didn’t have a dressing room available when he arrived at the Crucible.
Explaining his troubles to Eurosport, O’Sullivan said: ‘It [his chair] must have been wet because I sat down and I was drenched, it must have been wet from before.
‘I am actually going to have to bring a hairdryer because someone wet my seat.
‘When I turned up at the venue to get in my dressing room I didn’t even have a dressing room. I was a bit unsettled tonight, to be honest with you.
‘I forgot my chalk, it wasn’t ideal preparation.’
Not even an inexplicably wet chair can stop Ronnie O’Sullivan from closing in on victory and a place in the final at the [email protected] | #ilovesnooker pic.twitter.com/8xHrVvSpeI
— Eurosport (@eurosport) April 30, 2022
Clearly none of those issues held him back as he reached an eighth World Championship final, nor has a self-inflicted issue this tournament.
There is a documentary being filmed about the Rocket during this World Championships and he revealed after the semis that he has been mic’d up in his waistcoat throughout the event.
Extra pockets have been sewn into his waistcoat, and while he admits it is not helpful for playing, the results should be entertaining.
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‘I’m actually mic’d up as I’m playing because we’re doing this documentary,’ O’Sullivan revealed on Eurosport. ‘You can literally hear everything out there.
‘When this documentary comes out you’re going to hear all sorts. The guy that’s doing it says it’s unbelievable. For any snooker fan out there…I’ve had it on the whole tournament. I’ve had them following me everywhere.’
Asked if it has caused any issues for playing, he said: ”A little bit, but I don’t care, I thought, if we’re going to do it, let’s do it properly, let’s go for it. I’ve had pockets put in my waistcoat for it.’
O’Sullivan and Trump looks certain to be a thrilling World Championship final of the highest quality and gets underway at 1pm on Sunday 1 May at the Crucible.
MORE : ‘Not quite good enough’ – Mark Williams reacts to narrowest of Crucible defeats to Judd Trump
MORE : ‘My best ever win’ – Judd Trump reacts to downing Mark Williams in World Championship semi-final
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