Thailand gives GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan great reception - he doesn't disappoint on the baize

[webfact]

Ronnie signs for snooker fans in Pathum Thani last night

 

by Gerry Carter

 

Highlight of the second day of the Six Red World Snooker Championships 2023 in Pathum Thani was the evening appearance of Ronnie O'Sullivan, widely regarded as the greatest snooker player of all time.

 

A packed TV arena at the Thammasat Convention Centre gave Englishman Ronnie a rousing reception then watched in awe as he stormed into a 4-0 lead against compatriot Jimmy Robertson inside 25 minutes.

 

But Robertson, 36, was not there to make up the numbers against his 47 year old opponent. He made the score 4-3 before Ronnie closed out the match.

 

Then the selfies and signatures began!

 

Ronnie will be in action again today (Wednesday) when the round robin of first stage group matches concludes.

 

 

At 1.30pm he will play 16 year old Stan Moody of England then he is back on the baize at 6.30pm for what should be a memorable encounter with Thai legend James "Tong" Wattana, 53.

 

Earlier on Tuesday in the 1.30 pm session on the TV table,  Thailand's world number one ranked female Mink Nutcharut played defending champion Stephen Maguire.

 

Mink potted the opening red in the  first two games, but subsequent errors cost her dear as experienced Maguire capitalised to take a two frame lead.

 

 

In frame three she again got in first for a 25 break before Scot Maguire cleaned up to lead 3-0.

 

In frame 4 diminutive Mink again got in first but broke down on 21 missing the black off its spot once again. After Mink fouled on the final red Maguire cleared up for a 28 break and a 4-0 lead.

 

In what proved to be the final frame the Scot twice snookered Mink to run out an easy 5-0 winner. The Thai had her chances and will learn from this experience on the big snooker stage.

 

 

Perhaps Thailand's best hope for the 4.2 million baht first prize come Saturday, Noppon Saengkham, had a routine 5-1 win against Egyptian Mahmoud El Hareedy.

 

In late afternoon action lightning fast Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, also of Thailand, outlasted England's Tom Ford 5-3 to continue his bright start to this event.

 

While a thoroughly entertaining match on Table Two saw world number two Judd Trump come from behind to defeat Thailand's Krisanut Lertsattayathorn 5-4 completing the comeback with some "naughty snooker" enthralling the packed crowd with a break of 34 including a final black off many cushions.

 

English legend Jimmy White, in contrast, went down 5-1 to China's Zhou Yuelong signalling the end for White's hopes in Thailand after the previous day's 5-0 pasting at the hands of Thepchaiya.

 

Tickets for Wednesday's action are priced as low as 300 baht for all four sessions though getting close to Ronnie costs more.

 

Stay tuned to ASEAN NOW for more news from the biggest snooker tournament to be held in Thailand for many years.

 

Rooster

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2023-03-08

 

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[norbra]

GOAT What rubbish

[mikebell]

I had to look it up - Greatest Of All Time.  I thought it had something to do  with Ronnie being 'ambidextrous'!

[JonnyF]

2 hours ago, norbra said:

GOAT What rubbish

When you look at the stats, it's fair to say that he's the greatest to ever play the game.

 

Hendry a close second.

[dayo202]

Great day out yesterday, I may go again tomorrow for the knock out stages 

[Liverpool Lou]

8 hours ago, norbra said:

GOAT What rubbish

What rubbish.

 

Which other pro player would be able to, seriously, contend that title?

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

8 hours ago, norbra said:

GOAT What rubbish

When you look at the stats, it's fair to say that he's the greatest to ever play the game.

Most AN commentators don't pay any attention to facts or stats!  I think it may be in the rules, somewhere.

[jacko45k]

16 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What rubbish.

 

Which other pro player would be able to, seriously, contend that title?

Stephen Hendry has quite a record.....