Stephen Hendry reveals why Champion of Champions tournament is ‘perfect’ for Ronnie O’Sullivan to win
STEPHEN HENDRY has insisted that this week’s Champion of Champions is “perfect” for Ronnie O’Sullivan to end his title drought.
The Rocket has struggled to capture his best form throughout the season and is yet to win a title this season.
However, Hendry, 55, believes O’Sullivan can finally get off the mark for the season when he plays Xiao Guodong in his opening game of the Champion of Champions on Thursday in Bolton.
The 48-year-old has won the tournament four times.
And Hendry reckons the one-table set-up throughout with just four games over three days needed to win is ideal for the seven-time world champion.
The fellow seven-time world champ said on ITV4: “It’s the fact it’s one table, all the attention is on you, we always have great crowds here, that’s what the big players love.
“Inspiration, venues to inspire and make them play their best.
“It’s one of the reasons the likes of Ronnie has done so well here, it’s perfect for him.
“Ronnie doesn’t come in till Thursday, so basically this is the kind of tournament he loves.
“He’s got to play three days of snooker to pick up the trophy.
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“It’s perfect for him! That’s why he has such a good record in this event.”
O’Sullivan, who is No5 in the world rankings, will play in Group 4 of the event as one of eight seeded players.
It means he will play the winner of Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy later in the same evening if he progresses past Xiao.
Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson, Mark Allen, Neil Robertson, Luca Brecel and Mark Williams are all potential opponents who may be waiting for O’Sullivan in the final.
O’Sullivan’s last title was the World Masters of Snooker in Saudi Arabia in March.
But he has failed to reach a final so far this season, with the semi-finals being the furthest he has reached.
The winner of the Champion of Champions will take home £150,000, with the runner-up receiving £60,000.
You can follow all the action from the tournament with SunSport’s Live Blog here, with World No2 Wilson taking on Brecel today at 12.45pm.
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 latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.