Ronnie O’Sullivan has remained firm in his stance that he will be the one to call an end to his glittering snooker career after a shock early exit at the Champion of Champions.
The Rocket, 48, was on the wrong end of a stunning comeback in the last 16 of the invitational event after a 4-3 defeat to Xiao Guodong in Bolton. O’Sullivan was gunning for a fifth title at the competition but having gone 3-0 in front, he collapsed after breaks of 125, 95 and 65. Xiao stormed back from the jaws of defeat to somehow win four straight frames.
The Chinese debutant hit 130, 88 and 85 runs to seal the sensational U-turn. Earlier this season the seven-time world champion admitted he was “finished” at snooker’s top table. And the world No.5, whose next assignment will be his UK Championship title defence later this month, said: “I have been on a roll for 30 years. It will end when I decide it ends. I’ve very rarely had an average season since turning pro.
“I might have had a couple of years with things going on off the table which meant I couldn’t really focus on snooker and went missing. I definitely had six years where I was partying a bit much.
“I might have won a few tournaments in that period. But when I’ve had my mind and focus right I usually do all right. I’ll keep playing and keep enjoying it. That’s the most important thing for me.”
Proud Xiao, who won the recent Wuhan Open, beamed: “This is my best win. I was really excited to play Ronnie. Winning that first event in China, in front of my friends and family, has given me great confidence.”