O’Sullivan unrepentant over rude gesture

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN remains unapologetic after being captured on camera making a rude gesture during his opening victory at the Embassy World Championship.

O’Sullivan aimed a one-fingered salute at the table after missing a regulation shot in frame 13 of his game with Scotsman Stephen Maguire.

“It just shows how passionate I am about the game,” claimed the 28-year-old world number three. I’m always disappointed when I miss shots like that. Let the authorities do what they want to do. If they want to fine me, I have got plenty of money,” added O’Sullivan, who pocketed €75,000 10 days ago for securing the inaugural LG Electronics Order of Merit title.

It seems likely that O’Sullivan will go unpunished by the game’s governing body, World Snooker.

Dutch referee Johan Oomen is believed not to have reported the incident.

Meanwhile, Stephen Hendry backed Ronnie O’Sullivan’s call for all-out attacking snooker after joining his former stablemate in the second round of the Embassy World Championship.

O’Sullivan said he loved going shot to shot with the likes of Hendry, John Higgins and Paul Hunter.

And Hendry said after beating Preston qualifier Stuart Pettman 10-2: “Whenever I look at a pot and have to turn the shot down it’s a nightmare for me. My weak spot is my safety but it was never as good as Terry Griffiths’s anyway. The main thing at Sheffield is to go up a gear every round. Hopefully by the final Monday I will be in fifth or sixth gear,” he said.

Hendry cued his way to breaks of 117 and 93 yesterday afternoon to complete the formalities of his one-sided victory. He would have expected to play Jimmy White for a place in the quarter-finals.

However, instead of the man whose world title ambitions he ended in four finals, the 35-year-old Scot will play Barry Pinches.

“It may have been a surprise but no one can take any result for granted and Barry deserved his victory,” said Hendry.

John Parrott almost lost his ever-present Crucible Theatre record in the final qualifying round against Dubliner Michael Judge last month.

But the 1991 champion defeated Judge 10-9 and he looks determined to make the most of his 21st successive appearance.

Parrott, now 39, trails 2003 semi-finalist Paul Hunter 5-4 after an intriguing opening session.

And while the Wembley Masters champion is favourite to reach the last 16 today, Parrott will battle on to delay his world championship TV duties with the BBC.

Pony tail-wearing Hunter produced a 132 clearance to draw level at 4-4 after previously being 3-1 up.