Neil Robertson on why Ronnie O'Sullivan was so close to record Crucible snooker triumph – 'That was the title'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 22/05/2024 at 09:32 GMT
Ronnie O'Sullivan remains tied with Stephen Hendry as the most prolific world champion of the modern era on seven Crucible titles apiece, but Neil Robertson believes he was only a win away from making it eight world crowns earlier this month. O'Sullivan's 13-10 defeat to an inspired Stuart Bingham in the last eight was marred by controversy that cost him a clear run to glory at the flagship event.
‘Just chill’ - O’Sullivan and referee clash amid crowd noise
Snooker GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan was only one win away from claiming a record eighth title triumph at the World Championship earlier this month, according to Neil Robertson, the 2010 Crucible winner.
The seven-time champion suffered a surprise 13-10 loss to an inspired Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals in Sheffield in a match that was blighted by several moments of controversy.
O'Sullivan refused to pot a red after asking for the black to be re-spotted by referee Desislava Bozhilova – an act of sportsmanship that cost him a 7-5 lead and possibly the match – while he was later embroiled in more words with the match official when he was disturbed by fans entering the arena during a crucial shot with matters finely poised at 10-10.
As it was, 2015 champion Bingham claimed the final three frames, but could not maintain his form against Jak Jones in the semi-finals as he struggled badly among the balls before being defeated 17-12 by the Welshman, who also accounted for Judd Trump 13-9 in the last eight.
"It was such great sportsmanship," said Robertson about O'Sullivan's conduct speaking to the Metro newspaper. "He 100 per cent could pot the red. I could see where he was coming from because he didn’t want to gain an advantage on Stu.
"The difference between being able to pot it comfortably and having to play safe was literally a millimetre. I think Desislava did a perfect job in that scenario. Then Ronnie played safe, which was great. Then there was what happened at 10-10 with the door and the crowd. I think that was the title.
“Judd [Trump] went out earlier that day, and I think he felt that realistically if he got through Stuart, then he would have comfortably won it. Maybe it was just that, the eighth title on the line in that mini-session."
Kyren Wilson progressed to lift his first world title with an 18-14 win over Jones in the final, but Robertson could understand O'Sullivan frustration as he praised Eurosport for getting immediate reaction during his ill-fated encounter with Bingham.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/05/01/3960038-80395473-2560-1440.jpg)
‘Some referees have got it in for me’ – O’Sullivan on black spot incident
"Eurosport stuffed a mic in front of him straight out of the session, and he just went off on one didn’t he?" said Robertson.
"I don’t know why he’s done it. I understand Eurosport, it’s good journalism from them, but I don’t know why he got involved.
"I wasn’t a fan of those post-session interviews either, I wouldn’t have done them, not a chance.
"It was a crazy tournament, nobody would have predicted those four semi-finalists, but good on Kyren for standing up," added Robertson, who lost 10-9 to Jamie Jones in the final qualifying round amid a slump in form that saw the former Masters and UK holder end the season as world No. 28.
"It was all up for grabs and Kyren was the one that passed the test and lasted the longest, so hats off to him."
While O'Sullivan has embarked upon a summer trip to China, Finland and Bulgaria to compete in a series of lucrative exhibitions, Robertson is committed to playing at the Championship League when the new season begins in Leicester on June 10.
- - -
Watch top snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement