Emotional Stuart Bingham fights back tears on live TV after shocking Ronnie O’Sullivan at World Snooker Championship
STUART BINGHAM fought back tears as he spoke about his shock win over Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Bingham defeated the Rocket 13-10 at the World Snooker Championshipquarter-finals to set up a showdown with fellow qualifier Jak Jones for a place in the final.
Bingham has thrived on the big stage before, becoming world champion in 2015, when he beat Shaun Murphy 18-15 at the Crucible.
But he cast an emotional figure as he reflected on his surprise victory over O’Sullivan.
Speaking on the BBC after the game, the 47-year-old admitted: “I’ve had a little cry at the back there.
“Yeah, unbelievable. As you can hear in the voice.”
He added: “I was just enjoying it out there.
“I was there competing with the world’s best player and I was enjoying every second of it.”
Bingham beat O’Sullivan at the same stage when he won the Worlds in 2015.
Asked about what his feeling were now compared to then, he said: “It’s harder because you know you can do it.
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“It’s tough, you know what comes with it, now you know there’s going to be loads of media and obviously you need to focus but there’s another three days here in the semi-finals.”
On his next match, Bingham added: “Yeah, I’m the only one left who’s got their hands on the trophy so I’m sure there will be extra pressure.
“But Jak, fair play to him, has played really well. I remember playing him a couple years ago in Gibraltar and he hammered me 4-0 so I can’t take anything for granted.
“I’m sure it will be a great battle over the next three days.”
O’Sullivan was in positive mood despite seeing the chance of a record eighth world title slipping away/
The snooker legend told the BBC: “It’s the way it goes. I am really happy. I feel like I am getting through the ball, which is more important to me.
“Not the win I would have liked. That’s snooker, that’s the way it goes. He deserved his victory. I’m pleased I’m competed. A few errors here and there. Not too bad.
“I knew it would be another difficult tournament. No one has a divine right to win any match, a lot can happen in snooker, that’s sport.”
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our Ronnie O’Sullivan articles here.