Ronnie O'Sullivan remains a man on a mission at the World Snooker Championship after beating Si Jiahui 13-9 on Wednesday.
However, the 49-year-old is far from happy with his form as he looks to make history by winning the competition for the eighth time.
O'Sullivan, who is currently competing in his 33rd consecutive World Championship, is trying out a new cue.
But that hasn't stopped him winning, with the snooker legend's win over Jiahui coming after triumphs over Junxu Pang and old nemsis Ali Carter.
Ronnie O'Sullivan remains a man on a mission at the World Snooker Championship after beating Si Jiahui 13-9 on Wednesday
PA
O'Sullivan, at the current moment in time, is on course to make history at the Crucible.
Yet the veteran is far from happy, with the Rocket complaining that he's 'playing awful' despite his winning form.
"I’m grinding it out. Had work done on my cue," he said.
"The cue feels awful. I am playing awful. I need a new ferrule. I miss the buzz of playing well.
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“I’m trying all sorts, to hold the cue in a different place, try anything. Si played poorly in the whole match. He let me off. He gave me chances.
“I’m looking forward to each match. I will keep plugging away. I love the Chinese guys to do well. It’s not easy for them.
“They are brilliant. A credit to China. Zhao [Xintong] is a formidable opponent.”
O'Sullivan then further elaborated on his struggles.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan was too strong for Si Jiahui on Wednesday
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He continued: “Well, I don’t think I can get any worse but we will see.
"I have butchered more shots in this tournament than I have in years.
"I’m like a swan on the top but flapping legs at the bottom. I am playing with zero confidence. I have to grind it out.”
O'Sullivan's next opponent, Zhao Xintong, was previously caught up in a match-fixing scandal and was given a 20-month ban as a result.
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Wakelin, however, didn't appear too happy to be asked about his opponent and how it must feel for Zhao playing for the first time in 20 months.
He replied: “I don’t know – because I’ve never been suspended.
“I don’t do silly things. I don’t make silly mistakes.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is aiming to win the World Snooker Championship for the eighth time
PA
“We’re all aware of the dangers when we get on tour. You get involved in that sort of thing, you’re gonna get punished for it. He learned a hard lesson.
“He’s back on tour now, but he missed out on two years in his mid-twenties, which should be the golden stage of his career.
“I've had no doubt that he’ll go on to have several successes down the line now that he is back.
“But it was really stupid, the whole situation for all those guys that got involved. In terms of where’s Zhao’s going, he’s got his better days in front of him now."
