Stuart Bingham attributes his stunning quarter-final victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Snooker Championship to learning to “relax”. This win marks the first time in over two years that he has reached a ranking event semi-final. Bingham expressed his enjoyment of the match even when he was behind, crediting his newfound perspective on tournaments for helping him return to the top of his game. He felt calm and in control during the match, relishing the opportunity to go up against a player of O’Sullivan’s caliber.
Bingham, also known as ‘Ball Run’, has faced a dry spell in the past couple of years, failing to win any ranking event titles since the 2019 Gibraltar Open. Despite this, he has managed to reach two semi-finals, including the 2021 Crucible and the World Grand Prix in the same year. The sharpness gained from coming through qualifying is something Bingham believes has benefited him, leading to a strong performance in the tournament. He attributes the success of players outside the top 16 in the semi-finals to the experience gained from the qualifiers.
In contrast, Ronnie O’Sullivan declined to make excuses for his loss to Bingham, refusing to blame the conditions at the Crucible for his subpar performance. He praised Bingham’s adaptability and overall play, acknowledging that his opponent was the better player on the day. O’Sullivan emphasized the importance of enjoying the game rather than focusing solely on victories and losses, indicating that he is looking forward to continuing to play snooker in various events, including challenge matches in China and Finland.
Despite speculation surrounding the Rocket’s future in the sport and how many ranking events he may participate in next season, O’Sullivan clarified that he intends to keep playing. He mentioned upcoming commitments to play in certain WST events and exhibition matches in China, emphasizing that his priority is to be happy while competing. O’Sullivan’s positive attitude towards continuing to play snooker indicates his ongoing passion for the sport regardless of the outcome of individual matches.
Both Bingham and O’Sullivan displayed sportsmanship and respect towards each other during and after their match, with Bingham acknowledging O’Sullivan’s skill and the challenge he presented. O’Sullivan’s gracious response to Bingham’s victory highlights the camaraderie and mutual admiration shared between the players at the top of the snooker world. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, the players maintain a level of sportsmanship that is commendable and sets a positive example for fans and aspiring players.
In conclusion, Stuart Bingham’s ability to relax and enjoy the moment played a crucial role in his victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Snooker Championship. This win marked a significant milestone for Bingham after a period of relative drought in terms of ranking event success. While O’Sullivan gracefully accepted defeat and reflected on the importance of enjoying the game, both players showed respect and admiration for each other’s skills. The future of snooker looks bright with players like Bingham and O’Sullivan continuing to compete at a high level and inspire fans around the world.
