'Greatest ever' Ronnie O'Sullivan 'can win 10' World Championship titles at Crucible says Jimmy White
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Updated 02/05/2022 at 13:31 GMT
World No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan could be set to continue his seemingly-inevitable pursuit of a record-equalling seventh world title in the Crucible final against Judd Trump on Monday, having dominated their World Championship showpiece match so far. Eurosport expert Jimmy White believes that O'Sullivan could still kick on further and reach double-figures if he equals Stephen Hendry's record.
'He can win 10' - White says 'greatest ever' O'Sullivan can break world titles record
Ronnie O'Sullivan has the ability to win a staggering 10 World Championship titles if he applies himself correctly, according to fellow snooker legend Jimmy White.
O’Sullivan is just six frames away from a record-equalling seventh title at the Crucible in Sheffield after blowing Trump away to lead the final 12-5 ahead of the resumption of play on Monday.
The 46-year-old has dominated the final so far, despite a few dramatic incidents which threatened to overshadow proceedings. On an action-packed Sunday, the Rocket complained early on about a security guard, invited referee Olivier Martell to "try it then" in an argument about a ball placement, and then had another extraordinary spat with him later on. Remarkably, that continued as O'Sullivan refused to budge, causing Martell to have to duck under his cue in farcical fashion.
The pair return on Monday afternoon for eight more frames, with Trump needing at least three to ensure the tournament showdown heads to the final session. If O'Sullivan goes on to claim a record-equalling seventh world title, White believes he could still kick on further and reach double-figures.
"Most snooker players would agree he is the greatest player ever," White said in the Eurosport studio.
"Stephen Hendry would probably say that himself. But until he equals Hendry's record, just to confirm it.
"If he [O'Sullivan] applies himself right and practises properly, he can win 10 [world titles] - and who is to say that he won't."
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Even if Trump manages to significantly improve his level when the duo come back to the table, White and fellow Eurosport expert Alan McManus regard O'Sullivan as "unstoppable" given the way that he is currently playing at the Crucible.
"It just looks like a masterclass," White said on Sunday evening in the Eurosport studio.
"He is just flowing around the table; he is at such ease. His cue-ball control is there.
"He looks a bit tired to me, Ron, as well, which is understandable.
"Trump is below-par, we have to say that. He hasn't put Ronnie under any sort of pressure. But Ronnie is just getting stronger and stronger and stronger.
"He keeps clocking that scoreboard and these frames keep going up there - and he looks unstoppable."
McManus, who has said "it is his destiny" when talking about O'Sullivan winning another world title, added: "His cue ball was outstanding. It was a sparkling session.
"There was a mini-blemish, and that is the tiniest of blemishes, and that was the long red that let Judd in. But he was imperious. It was brilliant."
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It is the fifth occasion in O’Sullivan’s illustrious career that he has occupied the world No. 1 ranking, and the first time since 2019, as he continues his seemingly-inevitable pursuit of a famous seventh world title.
The Rocket could draw level with fellow snooker legend Stephen Hendry's tally of Crucible triumphs if he is able to close out victory over Trump, who has not won the World Championship since his solitary crown back in 2019.
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