Ronnie O’Sullivan admits he still gets fired up by having a point to prove – but is trying to keep revenge out of Friday's grudge clash with Hossein Vafaei.
There has been a war of words this week between the Rocket, the world No1 and seven-time world champion, and fiery Iranian Vafaei. Vafaei, 28, has never forgiven O’Sullivan for showing “disrespect” by smashing the reds up from the break in slumping to a 5-0 defeat two years ago – and urged him to retire.
He reignited the feud by claiming that “O’Sullivan is a nice person…when he is asleep”, while the defending champion warned his rival not to “rattle his cage” or suffer the consequences on the table.
