Ronnie O'Sullivan is keeping toes as well as fingers crossed this week that a troublesome back problem does not impede his progress to a repeat victory in the £650,000 Benson & Hedges Masters. O'Sullivan has been dogged by injury for part of the season and withdrew from the recent Nations Cup in Reading when the problem flared up again.
The 25-year-old world number four recovered sufficiently to take his place in the Welsh Open starting line-up at Cardiff last month. But on the eve of his eagerly anticipated clash with Jimmy White, the 1995 B&H Masters champion admitted: "There might be times throughout the season when I have to withdraw from tournaments. At the moment it doesn't feel too bad and I do get warning signs that the problem may arise again. All I can do is try and protect it as much as possible. It was disappointing to pull out of the Nations Cup because you always want to represent your country.
"But on the other side of the coin I don't enjoy all the hanging about between matches you get at tournaments. And if I can be at home that's great by me. Wembley has already been one of my favourite venues but it also means I'm not far from home," added the Chigwell-based cueman.
O'Sullivan, also a Masters runner-up in an unforgettable final against Steve Davis in 1997, has enjoyed an excellent season to date despite his problems. He won the Champions Cup in Brighton last September, clinched the Scottish Masters at Motherwell in October and then retained his China Open crown last December. In addition, the `Rocket' was runner-up to Mark Williams in the Grand Prix at Telford.
"I'm surprised by how well I've done because snooker isn't the main priority in my life. I just want to be happy and healthy," added O'Sullivan – whose results at Wembley since reaching the final in 1997 have been disappointing.
White qualified for tonight's second round showdown by thrashing Joe Swail 6-1 on Sunday night, including a final frame break of 136 - the highest of the tournament so far. There are unlikely to be many spare seats for the best-of-11-frame head-to-head though White has appealed for his often noisy supporters to show restraint. "Against Joe this guy's mobile went off just as I was on my shot. It's great to have the support but as long as it doesn't go over the top," said White.
Alan McManus, the 1994 champion, won't be coming back after his 6-4 defeat last night against Peter Ebdon. "Winning this tournament would mean as much as winning the world championship," said Londoner Ebdon. "Possibly even more. I used to come here as a youngster and cheer on Jimmy White. To actually play in the event is a dream come true."
Shaun Murphy, 18, showed plenty of teen spirit against six-time winner Stephen Hendry yesterday but lost 6-4 while Dave Harold, the world number 13, enjoyed an excellent 6-3 triumph over 1999 Masters champion John Higgins. John Parrott, a three-time Benson & Hedges runner-up, opens today's action against last year's semi-finalist Stephen Lee. (PA)
Filed by Seán Folan
