'Ronnie's been a pain in my a*** for 12 YEARS!' Mark Williams praises snooker's O'Sullivan
MARK WILLIAMS said long-time tormentor Ronnie O'Sullivan has been "a right pain in the a***" ahead of a quarter-final clash in China today.
Two-time world champion Williams, 39, has not beaten the Rocket in a ranking tournament for 12 years.
The world No22 will get another crack at O'Sullivan at the International Championship in Chengdu after he beat Sam Baird 6-4 while the five-time Crucible king saw off Li Hang 6-1.
And Williams would love to end the jinx against a man he describes as the best of all time - who also has cost him further world titles.
O'Sullivan, 38, seeking a first title in China for five years, last lost to Williams in a major event at the Thailand Masters in 2002.
And Williams said: "Ronnie has been a pain in my a*** for 12 years - that's how long it has been since I have beaten him in a proper ranking tournament.
"People say he's my bogeyman, but to be fair he's a lot of people's bogeyman, and if you have to have one I'm happy it's him.
"I was playing good stuff back in 2002 when I last beat him at the Thailand Masters, but my form has dipped a bit since."