Joe O'Connor ready to channel inner Mark Selby to defeat 'GOAT' Ronnie O'Sullivan in Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters fifth-round clash
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Updated 11/08/2025 at 23:37 GMT+1
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Joe O'Connor has only lost one of his first 14 matches in the new snooker season, but the 29-year-old will come up against arguably his toughest challenge so far in the shape of Ronnie O'Sullivan. The Leicester-born world No. 28 admitted he may try some classic tactics perfected by his idol Mark Selby in an attempt to defeat "the face of snooker" at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has conquered almost every snooker player on the circuit, but Joe O'Connor is not one of them.
Having gone head-to-head just once, in the 2024 Championship League, O'Connor will be hoping to keep hold of his 100% record over the man he calls "the GOAT" on Tuesday.
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be O'Sullivan's second tournament of the new season, having been knocked out of the Shanghai Masters at the quarter-final stage.
In contrast, O'Connor has already played 14 times since the end of June, collecting 13 wins in the process, the latest a 5-0 whitewash of Sanderson Lam on Monday evening.
"I'm playing solid," O'Connor told World Snooker Tour. "I do still think there are plenty of gears to go yet. I think it's coming. I think this could be the season that I do really well and hopefully lift my first title.
"I come to every tournament trying to win it. Until I'm out of the tournament, I'll then reflect and see if it was a good tournament."
The 29-year-old is at the highest ranking in his career - world No. 28 - but is still searching for his maiden professional title, having lost in three ranking finals.
His opponent in the fifth round of the Saudi Arabia Masters has 41 to his name, but Leicester-born O'Connor admitted his idol has always been O'Sullivan's long-time rival Mark Selby.
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"He [O'Sullivan] is the GOAT," O'Connor said. "I think I did play him once in the Championship League. I think I got the better of him. So hopefully I can keep that run going.
"I've looked up to Mark [Selby] more than anyone. But Ronnie's always been the man, the face of snooker almost. You always see clips everywhere of Ronnie and he's just a pleasure to watch when he's on form."
Asked if he would use any of Selby's tactics to unsettle 'The Rocket', O'Connor replied with a smile: "If they work, then I'll give them a go."
With big prize money on the line, O'Connor has plenty of motivation to make it past O'Sullivan and face the winner of Mark Allen against Chang Bingyu in the last 16.
And he is far from overawed by the prospect of taking on the seven-time world champion.
"I do enjoy playing the top players, especially on centre stage, table one," said O'Connor. "I don't shy away from the headlights. I confront it and I love playing out there in front of a crowd against the best players in the world."
And in response to what would constitute success at the Saudi Arabia Masters, O'Connor simply said: "Lifting the trophy."
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