'I call myself a numpty now' – O'Sullivan revisits memorable quote after losing to Wilson

The seven-time world champion hit back from 5-1 down to close to 5-4 behind against Wilson, who produced a 102 break to prevent a final-frame decider at the season’s second ranking event.

But O’Sullivan believes the scoreline did not give a true reflection of the match, despite producing fine breaks of 78, 87 and 55 before a huge crowd at the at the Qujiang E-sports Centre.

The world No. 4 was also scathing about his levels of consistency in a 5-4 quarter-final win over fellow Essex potter Matthew Selt, who hit two centuries and a 95 break in defeat at the inaugural event.

“It’s embarrassing. I couldn’t do anything. I just kept fighting until the end, but it was really bad,” O’Sullivan told reporters.

“Kyren was so much the better player. I did well to get to four frames. I’m amazed to get a frame off him!

“Listen, I ain’t got a clue where the balls are going. It’s all guesswork out there. It’s quite a scary prospect. Hopefully, it doesn’t go on like this forever.

“It’s a hard game. When you’re hitting the balls like I am. I’m just spraying it all over the gaff.”

But the record 41-time ranking event winner is happy to poke fun at himself as he attempts to sharpen up his game before chasing a record £500,000 first prize and the chance to reclaim the world No. 1 spot at the new Saudi Arabia Masters in Riyadh next week.

“It’s the semi-finals and I played like an absolute numpty,” O’Sullivan said. “I call myself a numpty now because that’s how bad it was.

“What can you do? You have to keep going, keep grinding away and on to the next one.”

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O’Sullivan opted to change hands several times in a bid to gain some momentum in the semi-final, and commented: “There was no groove at all. It was all just instinct.

“I mean the right hand is completely hopeless at the moment. It has been like that for two years. It’s non-existent. I don’t even feel like it belongs to my body.

“I have no choice but to play left-handed. I haven’t played left handed for 14-15 years.

“I just started last week because I was so desperate. I had to do something different. Maybe in a few months my left hand will be better and more reliable.”