Jimmy White makes Ronnie O'Sullivan prediction for Pang Junxu clash after ‘apprehensive’ start on Crucible return

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Ronnie O'Sullivan breezed into the second round of the World Championship with a 10-4 win over Ali Carter at The Crucible. It was a performance which impressed Jimmy White and 'The Whirlwind' expects further improvement when 'The Rocket' faces Pang Junxu. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

Highlights as O'Sullivan beats Carter in first round

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jimmy White expects Ronnie O’Sullivan to grow into the World Championship, and does not feel Pang Junxu has the firepower to stay with the seven-time winner.

In his first appearance in a competitive environment since January, O’Sullivan was scrappy in the opening session, which he won 5-4, but was more polished in the second as he ran through all five frames, knocking in three centuries to secure a 10-4 win.

Armed with a new cue, O’Sullivan told TNT Sports that his second session was "the best I’ve felt in three years".

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His second-round encounter is against Chinese qualifier Pang, who got the better of Zhang Anda in a scrappy affair.

Pang has a positive result on his record against O’Sullivan this season, a 6-4 win at the International Championship, but ‘The Rocket’ won their meeting at The Crucible in 2023.

White saw positive signs from O’Sullivan against Carter and expects him to step up again in round two.

"He [O’Sullivan] started to find a bit yesterday," White, who confirmed he had been handed a two-year Tour card, said on TNT Sports. "He was a bit apprehensive coming into it, playing Carter and not played since January, but he started to hit the ball a bit better.

"In his match against Zhang Anga, Pang, there were no breaks at all. It was a hard match; they probably know each other.

"I know he beat Ronnie in the International Championship, but Ronnie beat him [at The Crucible in 2023]. On that performance I don’t think Pang can beat O'Sullivan.

"I just think Ronnie's going to get stronger, and I don't think Pang can stay with him."

O’Sullivan and Pang will meet over three sessions, starting on Saturday afternoon, with the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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