Ronnie O’Sullivan hails James Wattana’s impact on Thai snooker

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Ronnie O’sullivan Hails James Wattana’s Impact On Thai Snooker
O’Sullivan’s 5-2 win over the 53-year-old home favourite proved academic as both players had already done enough in the group phase to reach the last 16.
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By PA Sport Staff

Ronnie O’Sullivan paid tribute to Thai veteran James Wattana after both players progressed to the knockout stages of the Six Red World Championship in Pathum Thani.

O’Sullivan’s 5-2 win over the 53-year-old home favourite proved academic as both players had already done enough in the group phase to reach the last 16.

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But O’Sullivan heaped praise on Wattana, a trailblazing figure for Asian players in the game who won three ranking tournaments and reached the World Championship semi-finals twice.

Recalling his first meeting with Wattana in Thailand in 1993, O’Sullivan said: “I played James out here when he was at his peak and was in his prime.

“I played him in a match and we had to stop for the adverts. He was in them all – Nescafe and Thai Airways. I was sitting there thinking, this geezer is unbelievable.”

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“When he was in his prime, he couldn’t go anywhere. He needed security and a police escort. He has been massive for Thai snooker.”

Cazoo Masters 2023 – Day Five – Alexandra Palace
Ronnie O’Sullivan will play Ding Junhui next in Thailand. Photo: Bradley Collyer/PA. 
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Wattana will face China’s Zhang Anda in the last 16 of the competition while O’Sullivan will take on Ding Junhui.

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Mark Williams secured the two wins he needed to reach the last 16 where he will now face Judd Trump, who finished top of Group D after a 5-4 win over Mai Hai Long.

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