Ronnie O’Sullivan is in China to entertain snooker fans, says the five-time world champion ahead of a quarter-final clash with Luca Brecel at the China Championship. O’Sullivan required less than an hour on Saturday as he blitzed Graeme Dott with a 5-0 whitewash in the last 16. The Englishman, now ranked 14th in the world, piled in breaks of 78, 75, 62 and 139 as Dott managed a total of just 21 points. Belgian Brecel beat Mike Dunn of England 5-3 and will tackle the ‘Rocket’ for a place in the last-four.
O’Sullivan acknowledged the huge popularity of snooker in China and says he is determined to put on a show for the sport’s passionate fan base as he attempts to win the season’s second ranking tournament. “It was a very good crowd, they come here for entertainment and I want to put a smile on people’s faces,” said O’Sullivan. “It’s important for me to show people what I can do. I play to enjoy it and hopefully everyone else does. I like to play quickly, make breaks and play the first shot I see without thinking too much. “When I do that I enjoy the moment and forget about everything else.
Now the match is over I am happy to have won. “I want to play the way that allows me to enjoy the game, and tomorrow will be the same.” O’Sullivan is 7/4 to beat Brecel 5-1 in their quarter-final, with the Belgian the underdog at 6/1 to win the match.