Ronnie O’Sullivan opens up about playing with new tip following Welsh Open victory over Ben Mertens

Updated 18/02/2023 at 12:15 GMT

Following some unwanted drama with his cue in the previous rounds of the Welsh Open, Ronnie O'Sullivan has got a new tip, and he was much happier with his performance as he whitewashed Ben Mertens 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals in Llandudno. Stream top snooker action, including the Welsh Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

'I have to deal with what I've got' - O'Sullivan tip-gate rumbles on after win over Mertens

Ronnie O’Sullivan says he is “enjoying the challenge” of playing with a new tip after he was forced to take action following some unwanted drama in the earlier rounds of the Welsh Open.

The 47-year-old looked much more comfortable on Thursday night as he claimed a 4-0 whitewash win over Ben Mertens to reach the quarter-finals after some tip problems had previously threatened to derail his tournament.

Although he was not at his best, O’Sullivan did make two 55 breaks and a break of 68 as he proved too strong for his young opponent.

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“It was a new tip, so I didn't have the worry of it like coming off. So just got to get used to it a little bit, I suppose,” O’Sullivan said in the Eurosport studio afterwards.

“I'm just trying not to think about how I play or anything. I'm just like, 'how am I dealing with it?'. I know how I should be dealing with it and that's what I'm just trying to do.

“I'm enjoying how I’m sort of processing it all. It’s good practise for me, I’m quite enjoying the challenge.”

Asked by Neal Foulds if he has to think about hitting the centre of the ball with the new tip, O’Sullivan responded: “I don’t know. I try not to think about it, to be honest with you.

"I'm just trying to think about staying present. Just dealing with whatever I’ve got. Tip is great, tip is bad – there’s not a lot I can actually do about it.

'A very efficient display' - O'Sullivan wraps up win over Mertens with 68 break

“I’d love to have an amazing tip, I’d love to have an amazing cue. I’d love my game to be perfect. But that’s not always the case. So I have to deal with whatever I've got given and just make the most of it.

“There’s no point getting frustrated out there which you can do, but I don’t want to, it's probably not going to help me.

“Like I’ve said, I’ve just got to focus on what I’ve got, trying to do my best. I'm not going to try and go down this road of perfection. There’s no point, you’ll drive yourself crazy.”

It comes after O’Sullivan revealed that he was ready to concede his third round match to Rod Lawler following his tip troubles.

O’Sullivan was on a break to go 3-0 up on Wednesday night before his tip flew off for a third time in Llandudno, having come off twice in his previous match against Ross Muir, which left him frustrated before he went on to whitewash his opponent.

'Not taking any liberties' - O'Sullivan makes half century break against teenager Mertens

He told Lawler his “cue was broken” before getting a new tip fitted by tournament director Paul Collier.

“I think I'm best suited if I can just keep my mind right, deal with the situation as it is,” O’Sullivan continued following victory over Mertens.

“Forget how I'm playing. Because I can be hard on myself. So I’m just trying to make do with what I've got, and get the best out of myself in every match, every minute, every situation.

“If I win, great. If I don’t, come back next week.”

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Stream the 2023 Welsh Open and more top snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk

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