Stephen Maguire Voices Frustration Over Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Dominance in Snooker
Snooker star Stephen Maguire has openly shared his frustrations regarding his ongoing struggles against the legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan, also known as "The Rocket." With a 13-year gap since his last victory over O’Sullivan in 2012, Maguire faced yet another setback during the recent Xi’an Grand Prix in China. The two British players met in the tournament’s third round, where O’Sullivan delivered a commanding 5-0 win, showcasing impressive breaks of 134, 70, 63, and 85.
After the match, Maguire couldn’t help but admire O’Sullivan’s extraordinary performance. He told the Metro, "Ronnie was unbelievable against me. He made me realize how far away I am from his level. I’ve been practicing hard, trying to improve my game." Despite being ranked No. 2 in the world behind O’Sullivan from 2008 to 2012, Maguire expressed his frustration, saying, "He does this to me every time. I don’t know what I did to annoy him, but he always brings his A-game when we compete. It’s impressive to watch."
Although O’Sullivan didn’t secure the Xi’an Grand Prix title, losing 5-2 in the quarter-finals to Gary Wilson, the competition was fierce. Wilson remarked, "You have to show Ronnie that you’re ready to play. He reads your body language and feeds off your confidence. Blocking out that pressure is essential when facing him."
Wilson, however, couldn’t advance past the semi-finals, as Shaun Murphy dominated with three centuries to reach the final. In the end, Mark Williams, at 50 years old, made history by becoming the oldest player to win a ranking event after defeating Murphy 10-3.
Currently ranked 25th in the world, Maguire is determined to reclaim his place in the top 16. Following a 4-1 victory over Luca Brecel, he is preparing to face China’s Si Jiahui in the round of 32 at the Northern Ireland Open. "It’s tough out there," Maguire admitted after his loss to O’Sullivan. "If I knew what was holding me back, I would fix it. Everyone is good, and it’s a challenging game. With many significant tournaments ahead, every match is crucial, especially given my current ranking."
Despite winning the Championship League in July, Maguire downplayed the achievement, stating, "Someone had to win the league, and it’s often forgotten. However, it has provided a solid platform for me to enter the Grand Prix and other series like the Players Championship and Tour Championship."
As Maguire continues to fight for his place in the snooker world, fans are eager to see if he can turn his fortunes around and finally overcome the formidable Ronnie O’Sullivan.
