16 February 2023 , 13:51
610
0
Ronnie O'Sullivan offered to concede his latest match at the Welsh Open after yet more cue issues.
The world No.1 is through to the last 16 of the tournament in Newport but has endured plenty of frustration in his two matches so far.
He had to leave the table twice after his tip flew off the end of his cue during his second round win over Ross Muir earlier this week, and the problem had not gone away for the match with Ross Lawler.
There were more interruptions as he had to fix his tip again and O'Sullivan has revealed he offered to concede the game, before eventually emerging victorious with a 4-0 win.
“I did say to Rod, you can have the match when I was 2-0 up. ‘I said to (tournament director) Paul (Collier), there is no point me keep having to come up here and putting the tips on. I am happy to give the match to Rod," he told Eurosport.
O'Sullivan teases fellow pro Dale over his hair in awkward post-match interview
"My cue, every shot I am playing I think the tip will fall off. I am surprised it didn’t fall off in a couple of blacks that I played in that last frame.
O'Sullivan reacts after the unfortunate incident (@eurosport/Twitter)
The world No.1 offered to forfeit from the match (@eurosport/Twitter)"I was expecting to see the tip roll across the table. It will come off again. I will try to stick it on again. There is nothing else you can do."
O'Sullivan needs to reach the final of this week's Welsh Open in order to qualify for the Players Championship, but he has conceded that is unlikely.
He has booked in some exhibitions for next week in case he doesn't make it, giving him the best preparation for the Six Reds World Championship in Bangkok - where a new cue will be in order.
"I will send the cue away and get it done. It needs a new ferrule. Hopefully it will be ready for Thailand and the other important tournaments for me," he added.
O'Sullivan will now come up against Belgian teenager Ben Mertens in the last-16 of the Welsh Open after his impressive victory over David Gilbert.