Ronnie O'Sullivan set for Welsh Open snooker return as Rocket ramps up world championship preparations
Snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to return to action at the Welsh Open.
The Rocket shocked fans by pulling out of the Masters just over a day before he was due to face Scots ace John Higgins, before continuing his absence by skipping the Welsh Open - prompting speculation he might not return to the table before the World Championships in April. However the 49-year-old was included in the draw for the Llandudno showcase, where he is set to face home hero Jamie Clarke - currently ranked No.65 in the world - on February 11.
O'Sullivan withdrew from the Masters after a nightmare showing in the Championship League, where he lashed out at a table and threw his cue in the bin after storming off. Speaking about the decision afterwards, the eight time world champ said: "It was a nightmare to make. If you'd have asked me Sunday was I ready to play, I probably would have been OK to play, but it's such a massive tournament. I've obviously been on this three-week trip away playing and I just think I exhausted myself. [There was] a lot of pressure and I just think the build-up of all that kind of just got a bit too much really."
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Meanwhile Ricky Walden will compete in the tournament, despite being forced to withdraw from the German Masters just a fortnight ago. After battling through the pain barrier to defeat Dylan Emery in the second round of the event in the German capital, Walden was rushed to hospital in Berlin following an assessment by medics at the venue - where he was diagnosed with pancreatitis.
After staying overnight in a German hospital the Stamina Man was forced to withdraw from his third round match with Barry Hawkins, who would go on to lose to world champ Kyren Wilson in the final. But Walden is now fighting fit and defeated Latvia's Artemijs Zizins in a qualifer to book a first round meeting with Matthew Selt.
