After Rocket’s moniker, Mark Selby was going for Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Players Championship.
At the Players Championship, Mark Selby and Ronnie O’Sullivan will square off.
Mark Selby shared the moniker the Rocket gave him while on tour and said he is delighted to play Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Players Championship quarterfinal. The two have hardly seen each other recently and have just played together once this season in Shanghai.
Their last meeting since 2021 occurred during that Shanghai Masters match, but Selby’s thrilling 6-3 victory over Barry Hawkins set up a thrilling matchup with O’Sullivan. Although the Rocket has won his past 15 games and the three events he has participated in, Selby is excited about the possibility of unseating the biggest player in the sport.
When Selby initially gained notoriety as a professional snooker player, O’Sullivan was well-known and bestowed upon him a moniker that has stuck with the four-time world champion.
“The One Who Tortures!” Selby stated to ITV. Yes, we have participated in significant championship games. I’m definitely looking forward to it since I’ve beaten him in some of them and he’s given me a nice hiding in many of them.
Both O’Sullivan and Selby have seen success throughout the years, having faced off in some of the biggest snooker matches, including the finals of all three Triple Crown events. The Leicester jester, also known as the torturer, hasn’t won any hardware this year and is aware that breaking his curse in Telford would be no easy task.
Both O’Sullivan and Selby have seen success throughout the years, having faced off in some of the biggest snooker matches, including the finals of all three Triple Crown events. The Leicester jester, also known as the torturer, hasn’t won any hardware this year and is aware that breaking his curse in Telford would be no easy task.
“The next game becomes easier, doesn’t it? I have Ronnie with me! Selby continued. “No, I truly enjoy every game I play against Ronnie, so I’m excited about that,” I have a chance if I play with the authority and confidence that I displayed following the break.
“With Ronnie, you always know what to expect; he rarely performs below par,” the 40-year-old stated. “If he’s either unplayable or extremely talented, it makes your job much easier before the game because you know you have to show up or you’re going home.”
