Ronnie O’Sullivan couldn’t hide his frustration as he punched the table in his shock UK Championship defeat to Barry Hawkins.
Rocket Ronnie was the reigning title holder – winning it for a seventh time last year – but will now see a rival pick up the crown in York.
O’Sullivan had a tough time against Hawkins[/caption]
Hawkins – the world No.20 – had been losing 3-1 and 4-2 at the Barbican but came back to secure a stunning 6-4 win.
It was his first win over O’Sullivan in eight years and now sees him into the last-16.
But his defeated opponent, despite gracious comments was clearly feeling the frustration of missed opportunities, thumping the table with his fist after a ‘silly’ missed ball.
He said: “I don’t know what happened. I don’t want to analyse it. I think Barry played a good game.
“I didn’t seem to get much of a chance at 4-2 up. I missed a red from the middle and from that moment onwards, he kept me out. It was game ball, an important ball, a good chance.
“I felt like I was in control of the match up until then. But then you miss silly balls and the game never forgives you. That’s what snooker does to you. I have no complaints really.”
Snooker icon Stephen Hendry gave his opinion on the loss, claiming O’Sullivan may have just been a little ‘rusty’ after a spell away from the baize.
O’Sullivan said: “Possibly I’m a bit rusty. But I will leave that up to the experts and just do what I am doing.”
Thankfully, he’s not looking too hard at the defeat though, insisting he won’t take the loss too hard.
“Barry played a good match and deserved his win, so I have to give all the credit to him,” added O’Sullivan. “He played well, was solid and took his chances.
“I’m just enjoying playing, that’s the important thing. I try to not look back on it and on to whatever the next event is.”
Rival Hawkins is now still in with a shout of the £250,000 prize for the winner, and was delighted to make the most of the legend’s slip-up.
The Hawk, 45, said: “That has been a while. I thought I’d try to keep at him, be a bit aggressive, and I managed to find some form.
“I felt good at the start. I missed a couple of middle-distance balls and he punished me. I stuck at him, didn’t give up, I found some rhythm and I got in the zone.
“I have let myself down so many times when I have played Ronnie. I have given him too much respect.
“He has had some stinkers against me and I have not taken advantage of them. I have crumbled under pressure. That’s a massive win for me.
Hawkins was in brilliant form to bounce back against O’Sullivan[/caption]
“Towards the end I felt alright. I hit balls in the interval. I just passed the time. I knuckled down, tried to keep him under pressure and started to play better.
“I have beaten Ronnie – who knows what might happen now? That performance has been coming for a while. It is all about confidence and self belief for me.”
