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Ronnie O’Sullivan admits personal struggles despite strong World Championship start
Ronnie O’Sullivan is trying to “silence the voices” inside his head as he tries to win a record eighth World Championship. The Rocket, 49, blew away Ali Carter in his first-round match and opened up a 6-2 overnight advantage over Chinese qualifier Pang Junxu in their second-round showdown on Saturday at the Crucible Theatre. O’Sullivan returned to the sport on the game’s biggest stage after a three-month hiatus due to bouts of self-doubt.
Snooker’s greatest showman knocked in six breaks over 50 as he continued his charge towards history in the first session of this best-of-25-frame clash. The draw has been blown right open for the Rocket, who was due to face Zhang Anda in the last 16 and a potential quarter-final with Mark Selby. Former champion Neil Robertson and eighth seed Mark Allen have also gone packing in O’Sullivan’s half.
