Ronnie O’Sullivan set for more misery after Judd Trump jibes

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Ronnie O’Sullivan will lose his world number one title to Judd Trump if his rival goes on to win the British Open on Sunday. The seven-time world champion suffered a shock first round exit and faced jibes from fellow stars Stephen Hendry and Trump as the latter progressed with ease.

Reigning world champion O’Sullivan had a nightmare first-round match against Alexander Ursenbacher who provided a major upset on Monday night. Pundit Hendry, who has also won seven world titles, didn’t hold back on his criticism of O’Sullivan’s 4-1 loss during which he missed three straightforward reds while strangely playing left handed.

“That’s probably the worst I’ve seen Ronnie O’Sullivan play for a good few years, he was rubbish tonight,” said Hendry. “He just never got going. He was over-hitting things, played three shots left-handed which missed by a long way. It’s the poorest performance I’ve seen from Ronnie in a long time.

Trump lost his world number one status to O’Sullivan in April and was beaten by his rival in May’s world championship final. He cruised into the British Open third round with a 4-0 victory over Dean Young and knows that victory in the tournament will give him world number one status again.

“It would be nice to get to number one off the back of winning a tournament, that would give me an extra sense of achievement,” said Trump. “When I play my best, I feel no one’s game can live up to mine, but I’m sure the others would say the same.”

Trump also had a jibe at O’Sullivan after the seven-time world champion suggested taking money from the World Snooker Tour prize fund and placing into the women’s circuit to boost their earnings.

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O’Sullivan won £500,000 for winning the world championships while his female counterpart Reanne Evans’ biggest ever purse on the women’s tour stands at £6,000. Trump hit back at O’Sullivan’s wish, he told the Sportsman: “It is a lot easier to say stuff and get a debate going.

“But he is more than welcome to do it himself. If he has that strong an opinion about it, why doesn’t he go ahead and do it – and put his money where his mouth is? And then the rest can choose if they want to follow his example or not. He can start the fund or kitty.”

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