Rocket in a moving tribute

O’SULLIVAN: Saddened by tragedy RONNIE O’SULLIVAN produced one of his best Masters displays, and then paid tribute to a young table-fitter who died this week.

The Rocket, going for an eighth title, was in scintillating form against Marco Fu at Alexandra Palace despite saying he was suffering from double vision.

O’Sullivan, 42, raced to a 6-0 victory then admitted he had been deeply shocked to hear of the death of 25-year-old Jethro Salmon.

There was a minute’s silence before the match, with staff and spectators paying their respects.

O’Sullivan said of Salmon: “It is so sad, and it shows everything I say about how none of this really matters, how insignificant this game is.

“We all have to appreciate and love and enjoy and a young man has been robbed of that. My heart goes out to his family and friends.”

O’Sullivan outscored Fu 649 points to 35, four less than the 39 scored by Ricky Walden when he lost 6-0 to the Rocket here four years ago.

The five-time world champion and world No 2 rattled in three centuries, taking his career total to 923, and will play Mark Allen tomorrow in the quarter-finals.

“I have got a virus and feel dizzy. I was suffering with double vision at times so I was playing off instinct,” he said. “But I know if I play the way I can play, nobody does it the way I do. It is a great feeling to show people a wonderful way this game can be played. It is a great buzz.

“I’d like people to think there is snooker and Ronnie O’Sullivan, like maybe they think there is football and Messi.”