Ronnie O'Sullivan not surprised by whitewash win despite injury concern and mad schedule

02/10/2023 15:50

2023 World Snooker Shanghai Masters - Day 7 (Finals) — Ronnie O’Sullivan overcame some unusual circumstances at the British Open (Picture: Getty Images)

Ronnie O’Sullivan flew into the UK from Hong Kong, struggled with an elbow problem but was still not surprised that he beat Andrew Pagett 4-0 in the opening round of the English Open.

The Rocket had been playing an exhibition with Jimmy White in Macau over the weekend and only landed back in England on Monday morning, before travelling over to Brentwood for the start of the English Open.

Explaining his hectic schedule before the match to Eurosport, he said: ‘Literally just got back this morning. I flew out Friday afternoon. Had a couple of days in Macau, which was great.

‘Just got in this morning. I feel alright. I haven’t picked my cue up since Shanghai [Masters]. I actually left it in China because I had something in my cue case and they wouldn’t let it through customs..

‘I didn’t want to miss my flight, so I left my cue in China. Went to Spain on holiday for a week after China which was nice. I haven’t played, but the season starts to get going now so plenty of tournaments to get stuck into.’

The world number one wasn’t at his immense best, but it was enough to whitewash Pagett after jetting in from Asia, and he was not surprised to score the victory despite his travels, remembering a run to the final of the 2017 Champion of Champions followed by a win at the Shanghai Masters just days later.

‘Not really,’ he said. ‘I got to the final in Coventry once and travelled Monday morning, arrived in China Tuesday morning, won that match and ended up winning the tournament. So I wasn’t surprised I could do it.