World number two Ronnie O’Sullivan says suffering a potential early exit at the Welsh Open this week could actually prove to be a blessing in disguise. O’Sullivan produced a brilliant performance on Sunday to win the World Grand Prix for the first time, thrashing China’s Ding Junhui 10-3 at the Guild Hall in Preston.
England’s number two made three centuries and three more breaks over 50 and has now won four ranking titles in a single season for the first time in his career, having lifted the UK Championship, English Open and Shanghai Masters earlier in the campaign. However, the 42-year-old has no time to savour the victory and he will be in first round action at the Welsh Open in Cardiff on Tuesday night against Robin Hull. ‘The Rocket’ is the 1/20 favourite to pick up the win whilst his Finnish opponent, who has two non-ranking tournament wins to his name, is the massive 7/1 outsider.
Although being heavily tipped to progress, O’Sullivan has suggested losing in the early stages could be of huge benefit to him. He was quoted as saying by world snooker: “It sounds weird but it might be good to lose early there, spend a week in the punditry box, do some analysis and watch the others slug it out. I’ve got my title in the bank.” O’Sullivan was also quizzed about the prospect of winning a sixth World Championship and he played down his chances despite being 7/2 favourite for the title. “I don’t think I’m capable of winning another world title,” he added. “You need a lot of staying power there and I am too old. I can play well over a few days, but the World Championship is all about stamina and consistency which is not suited to my game at the moment. But we’ll wait and see.”