Ian McCulloch boxed clever to pull off a huge shock with victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Welsh Open in Newport today.
McCulloch beat the defending champion 5-1, although O’Sullivan seemed to be struggling with an injury.
The ‘Rocket’ wore a strap on his right wrist and missed several balls he could normally be expected to pot although the world number one refused to confirm he had sustained a fracture while boxing in the gym.
“It’s just a little problem the doctors are looking into,” he said. “It’s just a bit sore. I did something years ago and it feels a bit achy.
“I struggled. I was put under pressure and didn’t put Ian under any. You can’t afford to miss easy balls and if you don’t do the business you’ll get punished.
“He made a couple of good clearances and it was tough out there for me. It’s very disappointing to lose.”
McCulloch, the world number 16 from Preston, had lost his five previous meetings with O’Sullivan but took advantage of the chances that came his way.
He fired in a 94 clearance to win the third frame and claim a 3-0 lead and secured the sixth for victory with a run of 72 after O'Sullivan ran out of
position on 58.
"I didn't know Ronnie had a problem until I spoke to him at the interval but I don't think it would have made any difference," said McCulloch, a
semi-finalist in last season's World Championship.
“You have to do what I did, which is clear up when he misses. I’ve played him several times but haven’t often played well against him.
“But it’s just one win. I won’t get carried away unless I’m here for the final.”
Paul Hunter, who has recently finished his latest spell of chemotherapy treatment for neuro endocrine tumours on the lining of his body, was beaten 5-3 by Anthony Hamilton.
Hunter has only won one match all season and although he produced breaks of 56 and 61 he was a long way off his best.