Ronnie O'Sullivan believes he is still a powerhouse in the game
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN insists he is still a force to be reckoned with – and at full throttle, John Higgins is probably the only man to match him.
The Rocket, 36, faces twice champion Mark Williams, who has not beaten him for more than a decade, at the Betfred.com World Championships today.
Although down to No 13 in the world rankings, O’Sullivan – who won the German Masters two months ago in Berlin – says people write him off at their peril. He said: “I had to really fight towards the end of the season to make it to the Crucible as of right. But I pulled it out of the bag and whatever my ranking, I still feel I am one of the best players in the world.
But I fancy myself to beat anyone on my game
“There are no more than one or two out there currently, John Higgins certainly, who I think is a match for me if we were both at our best. But I fancy myself to beat anyone on my game.”
Stephen Maguire is on the brink of his first quarter-final in three years after claiming an 11-5 lead over Joe Perry. He needs just two frames for victory this morning.