Ronnie O'Sullivan ready to 'climb the mountain' ahead of 2023 World Championship snooker opener against Pang Junxu

Ronnie O'Sullivan admits he is relishing the chance to start at the bottom and «climb the mountain» in his quest for a record eighth world title at the Crucible Theatre. In an exclusive interview with Eurosport on the cusp of the 47th World Championship in Sheffield, the defending world champion and world No. 1 said he was feeling «fresh and looking forward to it» ahead of his tournament opener against 23-year-old Chinese qualifier Pang Junxu.

Ad O'Sullivan will make a record 31st straight appearance at the sport's biggest event when he begins his latest campaign at 10am UK time on Saturday morning chasing the £500,000 first prize. World ChampionshipWho has qualified for World Championship as last 32 line-up is confirmed?11 HOURS AGO He starts out as 4/1 tournament favourite and was the last seed out alongside recent WST Classic finalist Pang, who lost to 6-2 in four-time world champion Mark Selby in Leicester, when the last-32 draw was made on Thursday morning with the top 16 seeds paired with the 16 qualifiers from the English Institute of Sport. O'Sullivan has only come across Pang on one occasion, but will be wary of an opponent who compiled breaks of 104 and 73 in a 3-1 win at the Championship League last year.

Pang turned professional three years ago and will make his Crucible debut after completing qualifying wins against Xu Si (10-5) and 1997 world champion Ken Doherty (10-6). O'Sullivan equalled Stephen Hendry's 1990s haul of seven Crucible titles with an 18-13 victory over Judd Trump in last year's final. “Sometimes you’ve got to start again," said O'Sullivan.