Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bold decision in World Open shows where he’s at | Other | Sport

Ronnie O’Sullivan underlined how he is feeling about his game ahead of the World Championship with a bold decision in his thrilling semi-final victory at the World Open. The Rocket has been in stunning form in Yushan this week, making the highest ever break in professional snooker, 153, in his 5-0 victory over Ryan Day in the quarter-finals.

He faced his sternest so far in the semi-finals against Chinese superstar Wu Yize, who took the seven-time world champion to a final frame after some audacious potting of his own. Wu looked well-placed to go through at 43-0 up before running out of position and having to play safe, or at least he thought he had played safe. With the match on a knife’s edge, O’Sullivan spied a long red potentially available to the bottom corner pocket. Many players wouldn’t have dared take it on.

Given his struggles over the last couple of years, O’Sullivan may have played it safe himself if he wasn’t feeling so good about his game. But the Rocket evidently has a new lease of life, taking on the pot, sinking it with aplomb and going on to make a match-winning break of 89.

The 50-year-old will face world number one Judd Trump or Thai star Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in Sunday’s final, which will be his last appearance in a ranking tournament before the World Championship begins at the Crucible on April 18.

O’Sullivan has not entered the upcoming Tour Championship in Manchester. After another season of sporadic appearances, the Rocket’s form this week and confidence in pressure situations suggest he must be regarded as a serious contender for a record-breaking eighth world crown.

Speaking earlier in the week, he said: “If I can get my cue through the ball, I will be alright. It doesn’t matter whether I win or lose. I am able to do that now. It has been torturous to be honest with you. It has been really hard work.

“For me, just going out there and playing is a victory. Whether I win or lose is irrelevant. For me to be able to go out there and not feel scared is a victory.

“I am happy to go out there and feel that if I get a chance I might do something. Before I was thinking please don’t miss, don’t let me on the table. This is what was going through my head.”

The Rocket certainly didn’t look “scared” as he saw off the challenge of Wu. With the Crucible on the horizon, a revitalised O’Sullivan is an exciting prospect.