‘Genius’ O’Sullivan refuses to get carried away with victory

Ronnie O’Sullivan breezed into the last 16 of the World Championship and then admitted anything more will be a bonus.

The three-time Crucible winner saw off another former champion in Peter Ebdon, 10-4, and looked in ominous form.

Often troubled by his mental state, the 36-year-old has battled against his own demons for several years but admitted yesterday his new mindset was helping his game.

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“It’s each match at a time really, there’s no point getting carried away,” said O’Sullivan.

“I’ve had a decent season, but it would be nice to win a few matches here. I’m not going to get carried away though.

“Even though I’ve not been playing great I’ve not been beating myself up too much if things aren’t going right for me.

“I’ve been working on that side of my game for the last year or so and that’s important. I’m definitely much better mentally. My game’s not brilliant, but at least my mind is allowing me to give 110 per cent and get what I can out of matches, so I’m pleased with that side of things.

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“Whatever happens now is a bonus for me. If I win, then great, but if I don’t it’s not the be-all and end-all. I’ll just enjoy this one.”

Leading 7-2 overnight, O’Sullivan wasted little time in reaching the second round, where he will face either Mark Williams or Sheffield-based Liu Chuang.

Ebdon, winner of last month’s China Open, managed to share the opening four frames with O’Sullivan knocking an 80 clearance.

But the Essex potter clinched victory and was just pleased to have seen off gritty Ebdon.

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“I knew it was going to be tough and I expected a tough game,” he said. “That’s what you get with Peter. You just have to be solid.

“I was just hoping that the next time I got to the table I was able to do something and get some points on the board.”

Ebdon, the 2002 champion, was effusive in his praise for his opponent.

“You can’t write that man off, the man’s an absolute genius, he’s one of the greatest players of all time,” he said. “Even though he didn’t play that well in that match there were four or five occasions of just sheer brilliance and inspiration, he’s just fantastic to watch.”

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Elsewhere, Joe Perry takes an 8-1 lead into today’s second session against former world champion Graeme Dott, Sheffield’s Ding Junhui trails 5-4 against Ryan Day, the same scoreline by which Judd Trump leads Dominic Dale.

Mark Allen last night tried to defuse the storm caused by his post-match comments after Sunday’s shock defeat to China’s Cao Yupeng.

The 26-year-old Northern Irishman claimed Cao should have called a foul on himself for an alleged push shot. It prompted snooker chiefs to launch disciplinary action against Allen, with threats of a suspension or even a ban.

“Following my recent comments in the press conference after my first-round defeat to Cao Yupeng, I would like to formally apologise to anyone who may have been offended,” said Allen in a statement.

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“Having taken some time to reflect on my comments I can appreciate that I over-stepped the line at a time when I was heavily influenced by the emotions of a disappointing defeat. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Cao Yupeng if he felt that my comments were insinuating he was a cheat.”