Ronnie O’Sullivan stages sit-down protest and has photographer kicked out of UK Championship for not having a tripod
KYREN WILSON booted Ronnie O’Sullivan out of the UK Championship in a madcap match involving sit-down protests and a row with a photographer.
Despite forcing a last-frame decider, the Rocket grew agitated during their quarter-final as fans on a neighbouring table caused noise and disruption as they left the arena.
And the seven-time UK champion also had a rule-following photographer chucked out because he did not have a TRIPOD!
Yet despite the commotion inside the Barbican Centre in York, Wilson kept his nerve to win 6-5 over three hours and gain revenge for his World Championship final defeat last year.
Asked about the crowd disruption, Wilson, 29, said: “It didn’t distract me, I was chilling out drinking my cup of tea instead.
“I understand his reasoning for that. Ronnie is a flow player and it’s all about rhythm, so it won’t have been ideal.
“But we know there are two tables out there. I’m lucky I play in a busy club in Northampton and constantly have people walking past my table.
“We have played with no audience for a year with Covid, so it’s great to have fans again.” Wilson — who reached the semi-finals of the event for the first time — started with breaks of 92 and 117, and then survived the late O’Sullivan fightback from 5-3 down.
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The Warrior punched the air in delight before celebrating with a cheeky Nando’s.
World No 5 Wilson plays in the final four today against Belgian Luca Brecel, who beat Scot Anthony McGill 6-2.
He added: “I’m super proud. Things started to go against me.
“I have let a couple slip against Ronnie. To hold it together and take it out convincingly, well there is no better feeling.”
O’Sullivan, who turns 46 tomorrow, remained in his chair and refused to play on multiple occasions when punters watching on the adjacent table left their seats en masse.
Yet the Essex-based legend admitted it did not cost him the match.
He said: “I’m either good with loads of movement or none at all — I can handle that — but I cannot do both.
“I saw it out of the corner of my eye.
“I told the ref, ‘I have all day, I’m in no rush, I’ve got no plans for tonight’.
“I’d rather wait. We aren’t going anywhere. There is no time limit on the match.
“From my part, there was no issue at all. Well played Kyren.
“I missed too many balls and wasn’t clinical. You cannot do that at the highest level.
“I accept that and I did well to get five frames.
“He is hungry to win titles. I was like that when I hadn’t won a major.
“You have all the desire in the world. He has a real passion for the game.”