SHAUN’S SET FOR ‘CIRCUS’
SHAUN MURPHY is hoping he can cope better with the Ronnie O’Sullivan “circus” today in snooker’s big top.
The Magician suffered a painful 13-3 drubbing at the hands of the Rocket three years ago, the last time they clashed in the World Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
O’Sullivan, after a fraught week and bitter row with supremo Barry Hearn, is chasing a sixth world title to equal the tally of his boyhood hero Steve Davis.
Stuff
But Murphy, too, has lifted the trophy and won their last meeting in Berlin.
Murphy said: “When he beat me 13-3, the scoreline didn’t reflect the match but I just got too involved in some of the stuff that goes on when you play Ronnie O’Sullivan.
“It is a bit of a circus. But you have got to go through that rubbish ® when you play our snooker celebrity.
“But I was determined to learn from the experience and I am looking forward to the test this time – and see how far I have come in three years.
“Hopefully I can cope better with it. Your Selbys, Robertsons, Trumps… none of them carry the same sort of intimidation factor as O’Sullivan.”
Meanwhile, former world champion Graeme Dott was compared to snooker legend Alex Higgins last night after beating two-time runner-up Ali Carter 10-7.
After watching the Scot pull off some superb pots, Carter said: “He was like Alex Higgins at times, even when he was out of position he pulled the pots out.”
Dott added: “I just love it here. If I played a home and away money match, I’d choose the Crucible over my own table.”