RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has praised a snooker great despite admitting he “doesn’t play much these days”.
rolled back the years to thrash his old rival 6-1 in the John Virgo Trophy before setting up a blockbuster final with fellow Class of ’92 icon .
Ronnie O’Sullivan praised Stephen HendryCredit: Getty
The Rocket has set up a blockbuster final with fellow Class of ’92 icon John HigginsCredit: AFP
Higgins booked his spot with a 6-4 win over , while O’Sullivan cruised past in front of a packed crowd at Goffs.
The seven-time world champs went head-to-head in Ireland, with Hendry showing flashes of his old brilliance – including a break of 61 – but struggling under the shot clock.
O’Sullivan reeled off the final five frames to seal a dominant win.
Afterwards, the Rocket paid glowing tribute to his former rival.
The Rocket later called it a “privilege” to share the table with his old rival – who still holds the record as the Crucible’s youngest world champ after beating Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White 18-12 in 1990 aged just 21.
O’Sullivan – world champion in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022 – said on Channel 5: “Stephen for me is the greatest player I’ve ever seen, ever played.
“He doesn’t play much these days, so for him to get his cue out of his case is a privilege. His middle pocket potting is still unbelievable.
“It took me back years ago. There was no weakness. His middle pocket potting is still unbelievable.
“To be on the same table as him is a privilege.”
Hendry responded: “You can’t get higher praise from a better player. Ronnie is obviously the GOAT.
“In terms of break-building and cue ball control, he’s taken the game to a level that I thought we might never see.
“He’s an artist with the cue ball. That’s the beauty of in controlling the cue ball and nobody has done it better than Ronnie.
“For me, it is fabulous to be involved in this event with these three great players.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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