SAGA Insurance Masters: Snooker's New Rocket!
It's high time someone replaced Ronnie O'Sullivan as snooker's star turn
Think snooker, and the name which springs immediately to mind is Ronnie O'Sullivan, and that, for some reason, annoys me greatly. Nothing against Ronnie; he's a talent, and a rare one at that – a player who plays with such total brilliance at times, yet often seems to be on the verge of self destruction. You watch him in action, and kind of hold your breath, because you're not sure what he's going to do next. Even those who don't really have an interest in snooker have an interest in Ronnie. He's one of those who transcends their sport.
So no, nothing against him, it's just that snooker needs more like him. A new Ronnie The Rocket, if you will. A fresh face to capture the imagination, a colourful and charismatic character to follow and fall in love with. Who's going to step up? John Higgins? Peter Ebdon? Shaun Murphy? No, no and no.
Ding Junhui is the name to look for; keep an eye on him in 2008 and, indeed, at the SAGA Insurance Masters. Last year, the 20-year-old made a brilliant 147 break in his opening match, and went on to lose the final to O'Sullivan. Ronnie might have a true rival, at last.
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