Ronnie O'Sullivan leads John Higgins 6-2 after the first session of their second-round match at the World Snooker Championship, according to multiple reports. The final result remains unknown. O'Sullivan reportedly thumped the table in frustration during the second session, as reported by major media.
The match between Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins has been marked by a controversial dispute over O'Sullivan's use of Triangle chalk. According to multiple reports, O'Sullivan's chalk leaves white streaks on the table and differs from most players' chalk. Higgins has criticized O'Sullivan's use of Triangle chalk, calling it a 'nightmare', as reported by Daily Express - Sport. The commentator for TNT Sports noted that the camera focuses on the chalk marks because O'Sullivan uses a different chalk than everyone else on the tour, which still leaves marks around. According to Daily Express - Sport, Stephen Hendry described the chalk as an irritation for other players, as it causes bad contacts and unpredictable cushions. Stuart Bingham, also speaking to Daily Express - Sport, noted that club players use Triangle chalk and that the table conditions play totally differently when following O'Sullivan or Luca Brecel.
I played him in Pontins when he was only 14 and I'd never heard of John until that tournament.
The rivalry between O'Sullivan and Higgins dates back decades. According to Ronnie O'Sullivan, they first met when Higgins was 14 at Pontins. Higgins beat O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of the 1991 World Junior Masters, as reported by major media. According to Metro - Main, Ronnie O'Sullivan described playing Higgins at Pontins when he was only 14 and having never heard of him until that tournament. Higgins, speaking to Metro - Main, recalled the uncertainty before a match due to O'Sullivan's assault incident.
O'Sullivan's past assault incident involved headbutting press officer Mike Ganley, as reported by major media. According to Metro - Main, John Higgins described the incident, noting that he did not know until one o'clock in the morning whether he would have to play O'Sullivan at 10am because of the headbutt. O'Sullivan, in an official statement, said: "He tried throwing me and my mate out of the players' lounge. I'm not proud of it; it's the only headbutt I've ever done in my life, and the only time I've grabbed someone by the balls and called them a grass. Like I say, I'd lost my way. I'd become someone I didn't want to be."
When I first clapped eyes on him, I thought this guy was just incredible, there was something about him. Obviously that's been proved right.
In other matches at the World Snooker Championship, Zhao Xintong beat Ding Junhui 13-9 to reach the quarter-finals, according to major media. According to The Independent - Main, Zhao Xintong described the pressure of the match, saying he felt more pressure this year and did not want to lose any match. Judd Trump led Hossein Vafaei 9-7 after the second session, as reported by major media. Neil Robertson led Chris Wakelin 10-6 after the second session, according to major media.
A controversial foul was called on Chris Wakelin for feathering the yellow ball, as reported by major media. The call may have affected the outcome of the match, but the final result remains unknown. The incident has sparked debate among fans and commentators about the strictness of foul calls in the tournament.
I didn't know until one o'clock in the morning whether I was going to have to play Ronnie at 10am. Because that was the time he stuck the head on Mike Ganley or something. I thought it was every chance because there were conflicting reports that he was going to get thrown out of the tournament. So, I was lying in my bed at night, thinking: 'Am I going to get a bite of the semi-finals here?' I got a phone call in the hotel. The phone call basically says 'Yeah, you're playing Ronnie at 10 in the morning' and I was like, for f**k sake! So it's just funny the things I can remember. That was many years ago, 30 years ago. I remember it as clear as day.
He tried throwing me and my mate out of the players' lounge. I'm not proud of it; it's the only headbutt I've ever done in my life, and the only time I've grabbed someone by the balls and called them a grass. Like I say, I'd lost my way. I'd become someone I didn't want to be.
Do you know why I got a kick? Because Luca was on previously. Luca doesn't use the [TAOM chalk]. They brushed [the table] but it's still really messy. It's difficult when you play guys like Ronnie and Luca and they're using the Triangle chalk. It's a bit of a nightmare.
I know it's an irritation for all the other players that Ronnie continues to use the old chalk that does give bad contacts and bounces off the cushion. Luca Brecel is the other player who uses it. I know from speaking to all the other players it does get very annoying. Because the table starts to play a little bit heavier. Kicks become a factor, cushions become a bit unpredictable, so it's something that Si Jiahui has got to be patient with.
I saw Ronnie in the Eurosport studio and I said: 'It's these club players that use Triangle Chalk! You see at the worlds, the table plays nicely, and then you follow someone like Ronnie or Luca and the table conditions play totally differently. It's up to them what they do. Ronnie has won seven world titles using that. So, why
Today I think there was more pressure. I know Ding didn't play very well in the last session but the pressure is very big. This year I just don't want to lose any match so it feels very different.