Ronnie O’Sullivan is desperate to improve his game ahead of the World Snooker Championships
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN plans to use exhibitions to sharpen his game for the Crucible.
The world number 1 exited the last 16 of the World Open when he lost 5-4 to Hossein Vafaei in Yushan.
Iran’s Vafaei, 29, came from 63-37 down in the final frame and only sealed the win on the final suit after O’Sullivan missed a routine black.
The Rocket, 48, is his own worst critic, rating his technique and execution over the past two years – since becoming king of Sheffield – as only “four or five out of ten”.
To win a record eighth world title this spring, O’Sullivan will engage in a friendly shootout.
He said: “It wasn’t intentional. Many things are fate.
“Usually the better player wins 99 times out of 100. This is how the match goes.
“He deserved his win, he played better snooker. Disappointingly I didn’t play well enough to win.
“I’m doing a number of exhibitions in Hong Kong. I’m coming back to China for a tour in May.
“I’m trying to figure out why I don’t feel good there when I play.
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“I’m winning, I’m participating, but I’m not hitting the ball well. I think I play better when I know I’m doing more exhibitions.
“I’m learning to relax in front of a crowd. It’s difficult when you play matches against very good players all the time. You compete for ranking points.
“I have to find a way to get my game back.”