RONNIE O’SULLIVAN dropped a new retirement hint after creeping into the quarters of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
The Rocket had a tough last-16 battle against Zhang Anda on Wednesday.
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His Chinese opponent flew into a 3-0 lead before Ronnie levelled things up.
Zhang then went ahead twice more before O’Sullivan completed a stunning comeback with a 6-5 win.
And the result set up a quarter-final battle against Si Jiahui, who beat Pang Junxu yesterday.
O’Sullivan struggled to get into his swing against Zhang, missing some easy chances before putting together a solid late run.
And speaking after the game, he hinted he could end up retiring in the not-too-distant future.
O’Sullivan said: “I ain’t got long left. I’ll be lucky if I’m in the top 16 in two or three years the way I’m playing.
“The way I’ve been playing, it’s no fun for me. I just want to play well for seven, eight or nine matches on the bounce.
“He’s (Zhang) the best fluker I’ve ever seen. I thought he was going to fluke one and make 70.”
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Following his last 32 win against Le Peifan on Tuesday, O’Sullivan lamented the lack of accuracy from his left hand.
He said: “Not great. I’ll put it on the back burner a bit.
“I haven’t had no feel for over two years now, it’s been really difficult to sort of get any enjoyment from it.
“Its been tough, you know, so I decided to start playing a bit left-handed because it just frees me up a bit. I enjoy playing and then I can actually practice.
“For me, anything to get my cue out of the case and obviously when I go into the match I’ve just got to do anything I can to compete but it’s not pretty, it’s not good.
“I’m not flowing but what can you do. Just got to go with what you’ve got.”
‘Smoking too much weed and bulk-buying too much Smirnoff’ – Inside Ronnie O’Sullivan’s yo-yo health battle
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’S snooker career almost went up in smoke after buying “too much weed and Smirnoff.”
Ronnie has long linked his performances on the baize with the ups and down in his diet and exercise regime.
The Rocket he has suffered a lifetime of yo-yoing weight, addiction and mental health struggles, and an often unhealthy relationship with food and fitness.
O’Sullivan ballooned to 16st on vodka and takeaways as a troubled teen, while “puffing like a maniac”.
Then, after turning his life around, he even saw his form decline after doing to TOO MUCH exercise.
Now right back to his best, the seven-time world champion has opened up on his struggles.