Judd Trump remark has desired effect as Ronnie O'Sullivan breaks silence on defeat

Ronnie O'Sullivan was dumped retired of the UK Championship successful the archetypal circular connected Saturday arsenic Barry Hawkins fought backmost to unafraid a 6-4 triumph astatine the York Barbican

World No. 1 Judd Trump may person unintentionally played a portion in Ronnie O'Sullivan's daze exit astatine the UK Championship.

The eight-time champion was knocked retired of the contention astatine York Barbican connected Saturday, suffering a 6-4 decision by Barry Hawkins. 'The Rocket' initially took a 4-2 pb and looked acceptable to beforehand to the tournament's 2nd circular - but Hawkins made a singular comeback, clinching the last 4 frames of the match.

Some superstitious fans mightiness good property Trump's caller gushing praise of O'Sullivan arsenic a origin successful the outcome. 'The Ace successful the Pack', who is acceptable to look Neil Robertson successful his UK Championship opener connected Tuesday, precocious urged his chap snooker stars to measurement up their crippled and not trust solely connected O'Sullivan to gully successful crowds.

"It’s precise narrow-minded to expect a sell-out of a 1000 radical successful a caller country," Trump said successful an exclusive interrogation for Reach’s UK Championship magazine. "I saw successful the erstwhile tourney successful Saudi Arabia, radical started coming successful astatine the extremity of the tournament. I deliberation immoderate of the blasted [for debased crowds] has to bash with the players. They’re not breathtaking enough, including myself.

"Everyone turned retired for Ronnie. The crowds are determination but it’s up to the players to play much attacking, free-flowing, breathtaking snooker. It’s down to america to marque the athletics much enjoyable."

Trump’s humble words did small to assistance O'Sullivan connected Saturday. The snooker fable lauded Hawkins for turning the crippled around, admitting it felt arsenic though helium "just sat successful [his] seat a lot."

When quizzed connected whether helium was disappointed with the outcome, Ronnie responded: "A small bit! Because I consciousness similar I've been playing good successful signifier for a change. Yeah, a small spot disappointed. Practice and lucifer signifier are wholly different, you know? So conscionable not taking [that signifier form] retired determination astatine the moment."

The UK Championship saw O'Sullivan exit successful the archetypal circular for the 2nd consecutive tournament. Xiao Guodong had eliminated him aboriginal successful the Champion of Champions, aboriginal claiming the runner-up spot successful Bolton.

In an absorbing crook of events, Trump didn't fare overmuch amended determination either, exiting successful the 2nd circular aft being bested by Robertson. And he'll person a swift accidental astatine redemption erstwhile the duo look disconnected against connected Tuesday.

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