‘It was quite funny’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan on punching table and getting distracted by other Scottish Open matches
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Updated 09/12/2021 at 22:59 GMT
Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Jamie Jones 4-3 and was hugely complimentary of the world No 44 after edging their first encounter. The six-time world champion explained to Eurosport why he banged the table during the match, and spoke of the distractions elsewhere inside the area. Stream the Scottish Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
‘Frustrated and funny!’ – O’Sullivan on punching table and distractions in other matches
Ronnie O’Sullivan admitted he found Thursday night’s action at the Scottish Open “quite funny” after he and a couple of other players hit the tables in frustration.
The six-time world champion was taken the distance by Jamie Jones, but prevailed 4-3 in their first meeting to reach the quarter-finals.
It was an incident-packed encounter, particularly in the third frame where O’Sullivan punched the table moments before a wasp landed on the baize.
Speaking to Eurosport after the win, O’Sullivan said he was amused to witness Stephen Maguire also show his frustration in another match, while he was also distracted by Mark Selby’s attempted comeback against Anthony McGill.
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‘He loses it there!’ O’Sullivan punches table in anger during match against Jones
O’Sullivan said: “I’ve whacked the table, then [Stephen] Maguire’s given the table a thud. I’m thinking ‘oooh’. It was quite funny.
“You’re just so frustrated. I’m then watching [Mark] Selby’s game thinking [Anthony] McGill is doing miracles and then Selby does two tons back to back. You’re watching such good snooker then trying to play your own game. It’s great out there.”
Selby eventually lost his decider 4-3 to McGill, while Maguire beat Ben Woollaston 4-1.
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Jones follows O’Sullivan’s lead in whacking table during Scottish Open encounter
Meanwhile, O’Sullivan was full of praise for Jones, the Scottish Open semi-finalist last year.
O’Sullivan added: “He will win a ranking tournament, he hits the ball far too good. He was a brilliant junior, has come back onto the tour, and is a strong player. He played the better snooker tonight but maybe the experience won through.
“I felt like I made a few mistakes, but I’m trying. I got a flow now and again, but I was hanging on in there.”
After coming through two deciders in a row, O’Sullivan said: “I’m just patient, I’m applying myself now. If it don’t happen this week, or next week, it might at Sheffield. Who knows?”
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O'Sullivan dazzles with quality red and pink combo against Jones
“Maybe two months ago I would have just tried to clear up in that last frame and would have probably missed, but I was setting myself and focused on every shot. If I don’t pot, then fine, but if you’re going to win deciders in tournaments you have to get into that mindset and become a tough match player.
“I’ve been playing exhibition snooker for the last two, three, four years, I haven’t really applied myself properly to the professional tour, but I’ve had a good time. I wouldn’t change it, but obviously Covid happened, exhibitions stopped, and it allowed me to put a bit more time in.”
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Stream the Scottish Open live and on-demand on discovery+. You can also watch all the action live via Eurosport and at eurosport.co.uk
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