Why 'hungry' Ronnie O’Sullivan is ticking every World Snooker Championship box at the Crucible - 'He looked on it'

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Ronnie O'Sullivan was at his effervescent best to claim an 7-2 lead over He Guoqiang on Tuesday afternoon. But will The Rocket get his eighth Crucible crown in 2026?

O'Sullivan flaunts 'full repertoire' with stupendous century against He

Video credit: TNT Sports

That is the question on everyone's lips, and Alan McManus believes he has already seen a difference in the 50-year-old's game and demeanour in just nine frames of play.

While O'Sullivan only managed one century in a rip-roaring display at the home of snooker, his ability to pounce on errors to steal frames was perhaps the most encouraging sign of all.

And, in the view of McManus, The Rocket appears to have his body and mind aligned, at least on first viewing.

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"I think we learned two things," began McManus, after Tuesday's first O'Sullivan showing.

"The game is chiefly about the physical side of it and the mental side. Perhaps more importantly, the physical side looks to my eye like he's been putting in the work. That's the first thing that you have to do coming here.

"So we can tick that one off. The mental side of it; he looked tuned in, he was taking his time when he had to, and it looks like he's hungry, which hasn't always been the case in the last two or three years. So that's a good sign in general.

"It was a good session. He got exactly out of it what he was looking for, and he looks pretty good."

'Sharp' O'Sullivan benefits from unusual fluke before clearing table

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It is no secret that O'Sullivan has become very selective with the tournaments he plays, having been absent, or withdrawn, from numerous ranking events this season.

In fact, it is over two years since The Rocket got his hands on a piece of ranking silverware - the 2024 World Grand Prix - though he has already made two finals this season, the Saudi Arabia Masters and the World Open.

The run to the latter saw O'Sullivan break yet another snooker record, compiling a history-shattering 153 break against Ryan Day.

"When he has performed on tour this season, he's performed exceptionally well," noted TNT Sports expert Reanne Evans.

"Obviously, the two maximums, nearly winning in China with that 153. It took an exceptional performance from Thepchaiya [Un-Nooh] to beat him in that. I thought he looked pristine, to be honest.

O'Sullivan 'thunders' in long red with masterful cueing

Video credit: TNT Sports

"But I was thinking lack of match practice may have been the case, but today, he looked on it. He looked comfortable out there, like he wanted to be there.

"He was competing in every department, but, boy, his long potting was awesome, wasn't it? He looked like he was enjoying himself there, and when Ronnie's like that, and he's comfortable, you're always going to get the best out of him.

"And that's what we want to see. We want to see him compete. No matter if he's playing at like 50% or 80%, if he wants to be there, and he's comfortable, he's willing to stay out there no matter what."

The final session of O'Sullivan's first-round match against He Guoqiang will be shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max from 14:15 UK time on Wednesday, April 22.

You can watch every day of the 2026 World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports. It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

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