Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Ryan Day to reach Masters 2019 semi-finals
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN beat Ryan Day 6-3 in quarter-finals of the Masters today to advance to the last four of the competition.
Seven-time Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan feels the pockets on the match table at Alexandra Palace have been made bigger.
The Rocket, who sailed past Stuart Bingham in the opening round, made the claim this week and suggested snooker organisers had done so to aid more century breaks.
O’Sullivan said: “They could do with tightening the pockets up a little bit, with the standard of play now.
“I don’t know if they are deliberately opening them now just so people can make tons [century breaks].
Related articles
“But they are playing pretty easy for the top players, and it would be maybe better if they were made a bit tighter. It is just a truer test.”
However, World Snooker chiefs have dismissed O'Sullivan's claims and insist nothing has changed to the table layouts.
“The templates are the same at every tournament, although the way the tables play can be affected by atmospheric conditions,” a spokesperson said.
“But we can categorically refute that pockets are widened to help see more century breaks, or for any other reason.
“The standard of play these days is also better than ever – and many fans would say Ronnie O’Sullivan can make the game look easy when he is on form.”
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Ryan Day LIVE
Thursday, January 17
RESULT: Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-3 Ryan Day
Best of 11 frames
O'Sullivan will meet the winner of Luca Brecel vs Ding Junhui in the semi-finals of the Masters.
