Ronnie O’Sullivan responds to century being chalked off as he bids for 1000th ton at the Welsh Open this week. Phil Haigh Wednesday 13 Feb 2019 9:08 am.
The world No 3 is at war with supremo Barry Hearn over formats and venues on tour - and last week even threatened he could stage breakaway 'Champions League' events. That triggered a furious response from Hearn, who branded his box office talisman 'pathetic, ridiculous and selfish'. But on the table O'Sullivan, who pocketed £170,000 on Sunday, has won three of the five events he has played this season - and also reached a final and a semi-final. A limited schedule is working, and O'Sullivan has now edged ahead of boyhood idol Steve Davis on UK wins - and has 19 Triple Crown triumphs, one clear of long-time rival Stephen Hendry.
O'Sullivan celebrated by tipping a glass of water over his head. He said: 'History is fantastic. It's amazing. Mark Allen started well but let the game get away from him when Ronnie O'Sullivan took over 'It is great to beat the Nugget, Steve Davis', record of six UK titles, and to beat my hero Stephen Hendry's record of 18 Triple Crown titles. 'To be involved in a final against Mark, who is an unbelievable competitor.
If he doesn't win the worlds, I will be surprised. He has talent and bottle in abundance. 'It's great to create history and beat Stephen's records.
I still have eight world titles to get. 'My strike average is better than other sportsmen. Roger Federer and Tiger Woods have four majors to go at. I only have three! 'I want to support the fans. I will play with a smile on my face. 'I don't set myself limits.
I will play as many tournaments as I can. I want to compete and enjoy it.' Allen, 32, who earns £75,000, said: 'I am a part of history I didn't really want.
You have to appreciate what Ronnie does. Ronnie O'Sullivan has been speaking recently about splintering off to create new events 'To beat the records of Davis and Hendry means he is something special. Hopefully he p***** off on this breakaway tour! 'I felt alright earlier, but there are extremely fine margins. Playing Ronnie is the ultimate examination of your abilities.'
O'Sullivan's big breakthrough came at the UK in 1993 at the age of 17 years and 358 days - and this marked the perfect 25th year anniversary. Hendry, another strong candidate in a small field for best player of all-time, won his 18 majors in 11 years - less than half the time. And he still holds two huge records - the mark of seven world titles at the Crucible, and 36 ranking titles with O'Sullivan now just two adrift of that one on 34. Lagu satu dewa 19 mp3 4shared. O'Sullivan, watched by artist pal Damien Hirst on Sunday, values style as well as trophies.
His tennis hero Roger Federer has won 20 slams, while the Rocket's golf idol Tiger Woods is back on 14 majors. O'Sullivan has now edged ahead of boyhood idol Steve Davis on UK Championship wins Allen, 32, could take consolation from his £75,000 runners-up prize, equalling his career-high ranking of No 6, and a superb 2018 that saw him also win the International Championship in China.
But it was a second loss in the UK final having gone down to Judd Trump back in 2011. Allen, who trailed 7-2, trimmed the deficit with breaks of 56 and 105, but O'Sullivan cleared up from 59-6 down in frame 13 and soon closed out the contest. Meanwhile the draw for January's Dafabet Masters, the next Triple Crown tournament on the calendar, was made in York on Sunday night. Seven-time Masters champion O'Sullivan will play former world champion Stuart Bingham in the first round. And defending champion Allen could have been handed a far tougher test than an out-of-form Belgian Luca Brecel.