World Championship 2019: Ronnie O'Sullivan seeks sixth title at Crucible

Ronnie O'SullivanImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

O'Sullivan first won the world title in 2001

Betfred World Snooker Championship

Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Dates: 20 April-6 May

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, Red Button, iPlayer, Connected TV, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app.

Five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan says "more pressure" can be "better" as he aims for a record 37th ranking title at the World Championship, which starts at the Crucible Theatre on Saturday.

O'Sullivan has had a stellar season, returning to number one in the world, winning five events and is favourite to claim the trophy in Sheffield.

The 43-year-old Englishman is tied with Scotsman Stephen Hendry on 36 titles and faces a first-round tie against James Cahill - the first amateur to qualify for the event.

"If you don't feel pressure you are probably not going to perform well," said O'Sullivan.

"People say 'there is too much pressure' but I don't understand that. If I said to someone, 'you have 24 hours to get out of this room or your life will end', you will probably find a way out.

"Sometimes when the pressure is on you, you can overcome obstacles. Sometimes the more pressure, the better it is."

'The Rocket' has entered just 10 tournaments this season but claimed the invitational Shanghai Masters and Champion of Champions, as well as the three ranking titles - the UK Championship, Players Championship and Tour Championship. His victory over Neil Robertson in the latter took him to world number one again for the first time since 2010.

He also became the first player to compile 1,000 career centuries and went past the £10m career prize money landmark, while a run to the semi-finals in Sheffield will see him become the first player to earn more than £1m in a single season.

O'Sullivan, who begins his campaign on Monday, said: "It is difficult to share the enthusiasm when you are not driven by records. If you ask me how my year has been, I would say it was fantastic, not because of the titles and records, but I have had a really good year, that is how I value my life.

"I play and I enjoy but I have never set out to break records or think I want to become better next season. The game fills my schedule up, I do it in my own time but at this rate I can play until I am 70. I was born to play snooker, it is what I have done for a long time and my life would be duller without it."

In-form Robertson and Trump bullish about chances

A record six Chinese players will appear at the Crucible, the highest ranked being Ding Junhui, who was runner-up in 2016, and faces Scotland's Anthony McGill in the first round.

The tournament will also see seven debutants - the most in 20 years - including the first from Cyprus in Michael Georgiou, who comes up against Neil Robertson on the opening day.

Australia's Robertson has been in superb form, reaching the final of the past four tournaments, winning the China Open, but has not triumphed at snooker's showpiece event since 2010., external

He told BBC Sport: "My game has never been in better shape having won the previous tournament before. I still had enough time to relax and chill out.

"It has been a long time since I won it. This tournament is different because it is under a longer format and a level about the rest. I have won the major titles in between but more world titles is what I am after."

Masters champion Judd Trump begins against Thailand's Thepchaiya Un-Nooh on Tuesday and unlike Robertson, is in a tough half of the draw which features O'Sullivan, three-time winner Mark Selby and Ding.

Trump told BBC Sport: "I would rather play and get through against the top players. There is a lot less expectation coming through that bottom half and if you get through and become world champion then you fully deserve it.

"I am quite happy with the draw, I play my best against the top players. I don't want to win the world with an easy draw, I want to play Ding in the second round, Ronnie in the quarters and Selby in the semis, that would be my dream line-up.

"I have tried not to put too much emphasis on the World Championship and prepare like I have done for other tournaments. It is important not to try too hard in this tournament and I have practised harder than ever."

'World Snooker would rather anyone than me won it'

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Mark Williams beat John Higgins to win last year's title

Mark Williams will defend his title against qualifier Martin Gould to a finish on the opening day but claimed World Snooker would not be keen to see him win again.

"They don't want a 44-year-old has-been winning the tournament," the Welshman said. "They want a youngster coming through who they can get behind and who will push the sport.

"I think World Snooker would rather anyone than me won it this time."

Williams also questioned his absence from a prominent role in the tournament's promotional material. Beneath a photo of an advertising board which placed Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby in prominent positions, the Welshman tweeted:, external "Spot the current world champion."

A World Snooker spokesman said: "Mark Williams is a great world champion and we'd love to see him win it again. All we want to see is the best player win the tournament."

The numbers game

  • A total £2.2m in prize money for the tournament

  • Record £500,000 on offer for the winner

  • £50,000 for a maximum 147 break

  • 500m TV audience this season across 130 countries

Analysis

BBC Sport pundit Alan McManus

It is a very interesting draw and Ronnie O'Sullivan's match against amateur James Cahill is the eye-catching one of the first round. Cahill has had a very good season but he has a free hit and it is the best draw he could have got. Judd Trump v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is another one to keep a look-out on.

Players will know what is further down the line if they progress. Every year we come to the Crucible, we feel the top 16 will all win their matches, but there are always shocks here and we will see that again. Players are sharp after coming through three rounds of qualifying.

It is a long old slog and O'Sullivan is in the hard half of the draw. He will have to beat three or four top-eight players to get the job done. It is a long haul and despite winning it five times, he has had his troubles here. Everyone is up for playing him but I do expect to see a strong O'Sullivan.

Luca Brecel is my dark horse for the tournament. He is playing the snooker of his life and I have played him three times this season, he is a little fighter now. He has developed as a player in the last year, trying to trap people, working his way out of trouble and playing wonderfully in amongst the balls.

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