Former five time World Snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan earned a place in the last sixteen of this years competition with a comfortable 10-3 win over Craig Steadman.
The Rocket who lost to Mark Selby in last years final was never put under pressure by the world number eighty-one on his way to setting up a second round clash with the winner of Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens. Stevens currently leads Williams 7-2 and will attempt to win the final three frames on Wednesday afternoon.
O’Sullivan almost had a 147 in the first frame against Steadman but he was unable to pot the fourteenth red and had to make do with 104. Ronnie also caused a stir in Tuesday’s opening session when he complained his shoes were hurting him and decided to play some of the match in his socks. Eventually an official gave O’Sullivan his shoes to wear as he was in breach of World Snooker’s dress code and the Rocket then gave his own shoes away to a fan.
O’Sullivan is one of the most naturally gifted players of all time and although he has been victorious at the Crucible five times many fans believe he should have more world titles but he often struggles to stay focused for the two weeks of long, hard matches that it takes to become champion.
If O’Sullivan can keep his concentration levels up he will be a strong favourite to win the title but anything can happen when Ronnie comes to the table and that’s why the fans will always tune in to watch him.