Snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan kicked out at the table as he continued his preparations for a showdown with John Higgins.
The Rocket is looking to defend the Masters title he won for a record breaking eighth time last year at Alexandra Palace, but cut a frustrated figure as he edged beyond Jak Jones 3-2 on his on his first appearance at snooker’s Championship League Invitational since 2022. It had been a tough day for the 49-year-old who had earlier lost 3-2 to Chris Wakelin and was then brushed aside 3-1 by world champion Kyren Wilson, before a change in cue tip helped him to an improved showing in a 3-2 defeat to Mark Selby.
However his final tie of the day against world No.18 Jak Jones saw O’Sullivan’s scrappy play return. He could be heard muttering “useless” when he lost position on a break of 30 in the second frame against Jones, before taking a fresh air kick at the table and slumping back in his chair with his head in his hands.
He returned to action soon after – and looked to put the anger behind him, as a break of 84 saw him level the match. Another break, this time of 98 after a mistake from Jones, saw him take the third frame. Jones set up a decider by responding in the fourth, but the Rocket eventually wrapped up his first win of Group three by racing through a break of 106 to finally see off the spirited Welshman’s challenge.
Old foes O’Sullivan and Higgins will do battle in the first round of the Masters on January 12, with the hotly anticipated clash also a rematch of the 1995 final – the first Masters that the Rocket won. Wizard of Wishaw Higgins, who admitted that the Class of 92 are reaching the twilight of their glittering careers, had joked that he had offered to follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps by joining the the Rocket’s team.
Asked if he could see himself supporting his old rival in a world title bid veteran Higgins, 49, quipped: “I asked him and he knocked me back! You would love to be asked in a way. He’s an unbelievable champion. I think I’d have the patience to be a coach. I don’t know if I’d be a coach or a mentor. Who knows what the future holds in this game for a lot of us. I’m quite happy dodging about like I am at the moment.”