RONNIE O’SULLIVAN reckons he’s enjoying a “film set” lifestyle but without Hollywood snooker – as he chases a happy ending in China.
Snooker’s seven-time world champ claims playing at the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix is “beautiful” but believes his form is still a little beastly.
Nonetheless, the legend delivered a masterful opening reel with a 5-0 first-round win over Hong Kong’s Wang Yuchen.
Xi’an, the capital of the Shaanxi Province in West China, is bordered by the Qin Mountains to the south and the large Wei River to the north.
And O’Sullivan, 48, who has visited the city for a “couple of days” before, told World Snooker Tour: “It has a beautiful atmosphere.
“You feel as if you’re on a film set. It’s definitely one of my favourite cities.”
And although he again blasted his “terrible” form of the past two years, O’Sullivan revealed the three things he loves about the whole country – even more than glory with a cue.
The world No5 said: “I come to China for the food, the culture and the people, if I do well at snooker that’s a bonus.
“It was a brilliant crowd and atmosphere today, this is probably one of the best tournaments of the season now.”
However, O’Sullivan suggested his performances aren’t matching his decent results.
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He won the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, Masters, World Grand Prix and Riyadh World Masters last season.
But he insisted: “My game has been terrible for two years.
“I am looking for a longer-term plan to play the way I want to.
“I just have to keep showing up and trying my best.”
