World Snooker Championship: Mark Williams on Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Hossein Vafaei feud - 'Why would you wind him up?'

18.04.2023 - 09:33 eurosport.com

Mark Williams has weighed in on the ongoing spat between reigning champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and Hossein Vafaei at the World Snooker Championship ahead of their battle in the last 16 at the Crucible Theatre.

Vafaei has said he wants to «shut» O'Sullivan's mouth in what was an astonishing broadside after setting up their eagerly-anticipated showdown in Sheffield.

Ad O'Sullivan and Vafaei already have a long-standing prickly relationship after they had a tense verbal exchange at last year's championship, and the pair have taken media opportunities to keep the feud alive.

World ChampionshipVafaei says he wants to 'shut' O’Sullivan’s mouth in astonishing attack on former hero20 HOURS AGO Vafaei told O'Sullivan to retire for being «disrespectful» and claimed the seven-time world champion was «not good for the game», questioning «what has he done for the sport?» O'Sullivan appeared to be relishing the prospect of a showdown with Vafaei after his first-round win at the Crucible as he warned him, «don't rattle my cage», in an interview on Eurosport.

Sporting on Mark Williams Ronnie Osullivan Sheffield

A s the ticker tape began to stream down over Luca Brecel’s head on Monday evening in Sheffield, it was difficult not to see it as symbolising the changing of the guard for snooker. The new world champion certainly navigated his road to victory at the Crucible his own way, with a brand of attacking snooker usually only restricted to one man: Brecel’s hero, Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Snooker-Brecel stages greatest Crucible comeback to march into world final

Belgium's Luca Brecel staged the biggest comeback ever seen at the Crucible to move into his first World Snooker Championship final by winning 11 frames in a row to beat China's Si Jiahui 17-15 on Saturday.

Hossein Vafaei 'not going to buckle' against Ronnie O'Sullivan at the World Snooker Championship, says Mark Selby

Hossein Vafaei is «not going to buckle» against Ronnie O'Sullivan in their second-round World Championship grudge match, reckons Mark Selby. Selby, who won through to the second round himself by beating Matt Selt on Thursday, is — like many — eagerly anticipating the clash between the warring pair that begins at 2.30pm on discovery+ and Eurosport. Ad On the eve of the encounter, O'Sullivan — responding to Vafaei's comments that he wants to «shut» The Rocket's mouth — said that some of the Iranian's comments «didn't make sense», and added that he doesn't «get involved in those battles because it is not worth it.» World ChampionshipHearn 'fell off chair laughing' after Vafaei’s dig at O’Sullivan3 HOURS AGO And now Selby, a four-time champion at the Crucible and a man who knows both players well, gave his take on the saga and the upcoming match.

World Snooker Championship 2023 LIVE – Neil Robertson in action, Ronnie O’Sullivan v Hossein Vafaei to come

Friday's schedule — Second round Ad 10:00 World ChampionshipHearn 'fell off chair laughing' after Vafaei’s dig at O’SullivanAN HOUR AGO Luca Brecel 4-4 Mark Williams Jak Jones v Neil Robertson 14:30 Ronnie O'Sullivan v Hossein Vafaei Mark Allen 5-3 Stuart Bingham 19:00 Luca Brecel v Mark Williams Jak Jones v Neil Robertson Essential reading ahead of O'Sullivan v Vafaei... Hearn 'fell off chair laughing' after Vafaei’s dig at O’Sullivan Hendon: History shows fired-up Vafaei may regret O'Sullivan trash talk 'He should retire!' — O’Sullivan v Vafaei war of words: How grudge match unfolded Exclusive: 'I'm an easy target' — O'Sullivan responds to astonishing Vafaei attack Ronnie O'Sullivan has given his response to Hossein Vafaei ahead of their eagerly-anticipated last-16 showdown at the World Championship amid the latest instalment of their ongoing spat.