Neal Foulds on Ronnie O'Sullivan's snooker resurgence – 'They're all intimidated by Ronnie snarling at them'
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Updated 18/01/2024 at 16:56 GMT
Neal Foulds believes Ronnie O'Sullivan's impressive form in completing victories at the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship and Masters has given his main rivals plenty to ponder at this week's World Grand Prix in Leicester. The world No. 1 begins his latest title quest against Pang Junxu on Tuesday evening. "The O'Sullivan factor has affected a lot of other players," said Eurosport pundit Foulds.
‘Quite extraordinary’ - O’Sullivan wraps up eighth Masters title with win over Carter in final
Ronnie O'Sullivan's impressive victories at the UK Championship in York and Masters in London over the past two months has intimidated his main snooker rivals, according to former world No. 3 Neal Foulds.
Foulds explained why he feels O'Sullivan's recent resurgence has had an effect on the sport's leading players after watching Mark Selby struggle past Yuan Sijun 4-3 in the first round of the World Grand Prix – a tournament reserved for the top 32 on the one-year ranking list – in his home city of Leicester late on Monday night.
"I fell over the line," said four-time world champion Selby on ITV. "I didn't deserve to win in the end, and I was lucky to get over the line."
Selby had led 3-1, but was fortunate to scramble past Yuan in a nervy decider to set up a last-16 meeting with Masters finalist Ali Carter or Wu Yize in the last 16 at the Morningside Arena.
"I've got a theory about it," said Eurosport pundit Foulds. "The O'Sullivan factor has affected a lot of other players.
"He was the top dog Mark Selby for a long time, and now Ronnie has emerged again.
"Mark's not the only one. They're all a little bit intimidated by Ronnie snarling at them, and beating them all.
"And he's almost baying for more. Tonight he [Selby] looked almost lacking in confidence.
"When it went 3-3, it was anybody's and he almost fell over the line because balls were missed.
"In the end, he got there. It was all a struggle. He knows how to win, Mark, but he made a meal of it tonight."
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‘I don’t know how I’ve won this tournament’ - O’Sullivan delighted to win Masters for eighth time
World No. 1 O'Sullivan begins his World Grand Prix campaign on Tuesday evening against world No. 31 Pang Junxu before he plans to take a break from the sport as he prepares for his latest attempt at winning an eighth world title in Sheffield in April.
The 48-year-old became the oldest and youngest winner of the Masters with a 10-7 victory over Carter sealing his record-extending eighth triumph at the elite event – 29 years after his maiden victory in 1995.
It is the first time in his 31-year professional career that he has lifted the coveted UK and Masters titles in the same season.
But he could yet return for the Players Championship in Telford next month (Mon 19 Feb - Sun 25 Feb) involving the top 16 on the one-year list.
"I’m a bit played-out, to be honest," two-time World Grand Prix winner O'Sullivan told reporters.
"I had such a strong push September to December, I really went hard at every tournament.
"It’s hard to keep motivating yourself. It really is. I’m going to take two months off."
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