'He's the best of all time' – Nigel Bond relishing Ronnie O'Sullivan mission ahead of first meeting since 1998

Nigel Bond will face Ronnie O'Sullivan for the first time since 1998 at the European Masters in Milton Keynes on Monday in what could be his final season on the World Snooker Tour circuit. 1996 British Open champion Bond met the six-time Crucible winner six times between 1994 and 1998, but has remarkably gone 24 years without locking swords with the snooker GOAT at a tournament.

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“I remember we had some close matches, he beat me 6-5 in the semi-finals of the Masters and the Scottish Masters. But he also trounced me a couple of times.

“It will be great to play him next week, I’ll look forward to it. /> The golden duo have a combined age of 102, but while O'Sullivan is ranked world No 2 30 years after turning professional, No 76 Bond is scrambling to extend his 33-year stay on the main circuit having turned professional in 1989.