Ronnie O’Sullivan on why he wants 'lovely guy' and 'dangerous player' Martin O’Donnell to succeed
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Updated 17/02/2024 at 19:37 GMT
Ronnie O’Sullivan has been working as a pundit for Eurosport at the Welsh Open and has been impressed with the progress Martin O'Donnell has made through the tournament, After seeing him advance to the final. O'Sullivan said it would be great to see him taste success. Stream top snooker action, including the Welsh Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at Eurosport.com.
O’Donnell seals win over Slessor in Welsh Open semi-final with century break
Ronnie O’Sullivan has admitted it would be a positive outcome if “lovely guy” and “dangerous player” Martin O’Donnell tasted success.
O’Donnell held off a fightback from Elliot Slessor to secure a 6-5 win and book his place in the final of the Welsh Open.
One year ago, O’Donnell was without a tour card and playing under amateur status.
He said after beating Luca Brecel in the quarter-finals on Friday that losing his tour card gave him fresh perspective, and he has returned a stronger player.
Victory over Slessor handed O’Donnell a huge boost in terms of ranking points and career earnings, but he has the chance to elevate his status with a win in a ranking event on Sunday.
O’Donnell spoke humbly in his interview to Eurosport following his win over Brecel, and world No. 1 O’Sullivan said it would be refreshing to see him succeed.
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"He is such a lovely guy,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport. “You can tell by his demeanour, he is not in your face, he is just a nice man.
“I want to see anyone nice do well."
O'Sullivan feels O'Donnell is reaping the benefits of making changes to his game during his time off the tour.
"He has had his ups and downs, more downs than ups really, but he has come back a different player," O'Sullivan said. "He is a much stronger player, so what he has worked on is working for him.
“Before he was rolling them in, now he is enjoying stunning and punching them.
“He looks a dangerous player.”
Jimmy White was impressed with how O’Donnell closed out the win over Slessor.
“He is focused on what he is doing,” White said in the Eurosport studio in Llandudno. “He has respect for the game, you have to play the right shots.
“He is one of those players who plays every shot.... he looks calm but, make no mistake, inside he is under pressure and it is how you deal with it. That was a fantastic win in those circumstances.
“A top player.“
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Stream top snooker action, including the Welsh Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at Eurosport.com.
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