Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals illness could scupper World Championship campaign

The Rocket beat the debutant 10-7 but didn’t look at his best and revealed that he has been suffering with a bug over the last two days.

He does not play again till Friday, when he will face either Ding Junhui or Hossein Vafaei, but admits that the illness could ruin his world title chances.

‘I don’t think I need rest, I need to shift whatever’s floating around in my body. If I’m still like this Friday then scary times,’ O’Sullivan told a press conference. ‘I was shaky, heavy, just desperate to get over the line.

‘It feels like glandular fever, I had glandular fever a long time ago and it saps the energy out of you. But you fight, it’s the World Championships.’

The world number one told Eurosport after beating Pang: ‘I’m relieved it’s over to be hoenst, I’ve got a bug, I’ve been aboslutely hanging in there all day. Legs, limbs, everything’s gone.

‘I was just so desperate to get over the line in every frame, it was a horrible feeling, but I just thought I’d see if I can get through and maybe a few days rest.

‘Or maybe just hang around the Crucible and give everyone my bug!

‘I’m so tired. I can’t wait to get back to my bed. It is what it is, I’m through to the next round, let’s see what happens.’

Pang looked like he might take advantage of the below-par Rocket as he looked good and impressed, keeping it close and knocking in the highest break of the match with a 133.

O’Sullivan was certainly impressed, saying: ‘I rate him, he’s very, very good. He’s going to be around a long time. Good player.’

He added: ‘Phenomenal player, he’s a brilliant player. There’s some amazing players in China. Wu Yize today played really well, a beautiful player and Pang tonight was a joy to watch.’

MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan denies debutant Pang Junxu to set up a tasty next World Championship tie

MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan unconvincing on World Championship chances: ‘It’s not all in my hands’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.