Snooker I was a bit scared about playing again, admits Ronnie

RONNIE O'Sullivan revealed he was still ravaged by self-doubt despite completing a stunning demolition job on Ali Carter to secure his place in the second round of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible.

- Mark STANIFORTH

The seven-time champion fired three centuries and two more breaks over 50 as he took just 67 minutes to turn a tight and error-strewn overnight lead into a stunning 10-4 triumph over the double former finalist.

O'Sullivan's display made a mockery of his recent period of inactivity, having arrived in Sheffield without a tour match to his name since he stuffed his cue in the bin after crashing out of the Championship League in January.

But appearances can be deceptive and the 49-year-old said he had been plagued by thoughts that he had made the wrong decision since he committed to taking his place in the tournament in the middle of last week.

"I thought, what am I doing, coming here and exposing myself, imploding out there, having a meltdown - all that went through my head," admitted O'Sullivan.