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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Sports Staff

Ronnie O'Sullivan says venue for snooker's English Open is a 'hellhole'

Ronnie O'Sullivan curated his 954th career century in Crewe ( Getty )

Ronnie O’Sullivan has said the venue for snooker’s English Open is “a bit of a hellhole” in an interview with the BBC after the defending champion defeated Kurt Maflin 4-1 in the opening round.

The competition has moved location for the third successive year but O’Sullivan lamented World Snooker’s latest offering.

“It’s about as bad as I've ever seen. It's such a bad venue, it demotivates you to want to play.”

"I don't know what this gaff is but I've just done an interview and all I can smell is urine." 

"It's just got no atmosphere in there. I'm practising and I've got wires all around the table. There's no security, you've got people running at you left, right and centre.

"It's not the fans' fault. They [World Snooker] obviously haven't got the budget to run it properly.

O’Sullivan lost the opening frame to world no.50 Maflin before routing the following four. His break of 104 in the second frame was O’Sullivan’s 954th century. He now has over 250 more than any other player in snooker history.

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