We all want Rocket to launch

DOHERTY: HUGE SHAME IF HE PULLS OUT OF CRUCIBLE

- SHANE MacDERMOTT

KEN DOHERTY admits he will be “really disappointed” if pressure forces Ronnie O'Sullivan to pull out of the World Championship.

The Rocket will find out his first-round fate during this morning's live draw ahead of the snooker circus rolling into Sheffield on Saturday for the opening matches. O'Sullivan has never missed the Crucible showpiece during his record-setting career and has been a mainstay at the event since 1993. The world No.5 will be gunning for a record eighth Crucible crown if he plays in Sheffield.

But the Rocket, who is due to kick off his title tilt on Tuesday, has not played competitively since his cue-snapping episode in January when he “lost the plot” due to “stage fright” fears.