Ronnie O’Sullivan opens up about playing with new tip following Welsh Open victory over Ben Mertens

Ronnie O’Sullivan says he is “enjoying the challenge” of playing with a new tip after he was forced to take action following some unwanted drama in the earlier rounds of the Welsh Open. The 47-year-old looked much more comfortable on Thursday night as he claimed a 4-0 whitewash win over Ben Mertens to reach the quarter-finals after some tip problems had previously threatened to derail his tournament. Ad Although he wasn’t at his best, O’Sullivan did make two 55 breaks and a break of 68 as he proved too strong for his young opponent.

Welsh Open'Age is not important' — O'Sullivan tells 'unbelievable' Mertens to embrace pressureAN HOUR AGO “It was a new tip, so I didn't have the worry of it like coming off. So, just got to get used to it a little bit, I suppose,” O’Sullivan said in the Eurosport studio afterwards. “I'm just trying not to think about how I play or anything.

I'm just like, how am I dealing with it, you know. I know how I should be dealing with it and that's what I'm just trying to do. “I'm enjoying how I’m sort of processing it all.

It’s good practice for me, I’m quite enjoying the challenge.” Asked by Neal Foulds if he has to think about hitting the centre of the ball with the new tip, O’Sullivan responded: “I don’t know. I try not to think about it, to be honest with you. «I'm just trying to think about just staying present.

Just dealing with whatever I’ve got. Tip is great, tip is bad – there’s not a lot I can actually do about it. Ronnie O'Sullivan stopped from quitting Welsh Open snooker by Rod Lawler's act of sportsmanship Shaun Murphy makes maximum 147 one frame after 145 break against Daniel Wells “I’d love to have an amazing tip, I’d love to have an amazing cue.