‘Everything was a struggle’ - Ronnie O’Sullivan reflects on ‘frightening’ Shanghai Masters triumph over Luca Brecel

ByBen Southby

Updated 17/09/2023 at 18:59 GMT

Five-time Shanghai Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has opened up on the mental struggles he had to overcome throughout a “frightening” campaign and final. The world No. 1 won his fourth consecutive Shanghai title on Sunday - his fifth overall - after defeating world Champion Luca Brecel 11-9 in a blockbuster clash. “There were some balls out there that I was missing and I was laughing to myself

Ronnie O’Sullivan said that he struggled on his way to claiming a fourth consecutive Shanghai Masters title.

Despite beating world champion Brecel 11-9 in a thrilling final on Sunday, the world No. 1 admitted he was “well below par” in a city he hasn’t lost in for seven years.

But the 47-year-old was too hot for the Belgian to handle as he claimed the title for the fifth time, and after the match O'Sullivan talked about the mental battles he had to overcome.

World Championship

Allen confirmed as new world No. 1 after O'Sullivan and Trump crash out at Crucible

02/05/2024 at 06:15

“I just tried hard. I mentally thought that plan A was to go out there, dominate and score breaks,” he told World Snooker. “Plan B was to keep my focus and emotions in check.

“I tried not to lose it out of frustration. It was one of those tournaments. I was well below par, but in moments I played alright when I had to. I wasn’t on autopilot, everything was a bit of a struggle from start to finish.

“When you are in the sweet spot and hitting the ball well it feels like an easy game. It feels like you can do what you want on the table. When you aren’t, you get scared of even coming to the table. It is frightening.

• Shanghai Masters final recap – O'Sullivan beats world champion Brecel to retain title

“This game can be so difficult some days and others it can be so easy. I’ve gone two or three years without feeling that I’d missed a ball. I was flying.

"There were some balls out there that I was missing and I was laughing to myself.”

Brecel’s excellence made it harder for O’Sullivan, and he pushed him all the way in an exciting showdown.

“I’m not surprised Luca has done as well as he has,” O’Sullivan said about Brecel. “He’s not a surprise world champion. He’s got an amazing gift to play this game.

“The performance he put on in Sheffield was unbelievable. He has improved a lot as a player and he loves the game.

'Its a full length double' - Brecel's stunning shot to close gap on O'Sullivan

“He has his girlfriend here with him and they seem to be having a great time. I wish I was at his stage of his career. He is a young man with a lot of years ahead of him.

“Snooker is getting bigger in China so it is a good time to be a professional snooker player.”

- - -

Stream top snooker action, including the English Open from October 2-8, live on discovery+ the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

World Championship

'Loving every second of it' - Bingham on battle with 'best player ever' O'Sullivan

01/05/2024 at 21:59

World Championship

O'Sullivan: Some of the referees 'have got it in for me'

01/05/2024 at 18:53

World Championship

O'Sullivan crashes out as Bingham produces latest Crucible shock

01/05/2024 at 21:53