Ronnie O’Sullivan’s game against Mink Nuthcarut at the International Championship had to be delayed ‘for safety reasons’ due to the size of the crowd in Nanjing.
The Rocket beat the women’s world number one 6-3, making two centuries, including a brilliant 132 in the final frame.
The 48-year-old tends to attract the biggest crowds in the sport all over the world and that was certainly the case at the South New City National Fitness Center.
The amount of spectators wanting to get in to see O’Sullivan vs Mink meant that the match on the main table in the morning session had to be cut short and the main event started nearly an hour late.
World Snooker Tour posted on social media: ‘Due to the amount of spectators, for safety reasons the afternoon session has been delayed until 2:50pm.’
Eurosport commentator David Hendon explained during the match: ‘It actually started nearly an hour late because there was such a lot of people to get in, the previous session had to be curtailed. They had to get everybody in, it took a while.’
The previous contest on the main table was defending champion Zhang Anda facing Ishpreet Singh Chadha, which was dragged off with Zhang leading 5-4 and the pair will return later to complete the game.
The International Championship has moved to Nanjing for the first time this year and clearly snooker is very popular in the Jiangsu city.
While many spectators were very keen to see the O’Sullivan vs Mink match, there were plenty enjoying the action on table two as well, where world champion Kyren Wilson thrashed Mitchell Mann 6-0.
O’Sullivan’s win was not as comfortable as some would have predicted, with Mink winning the first frame and making things uncomfortable for the Rocket with the score at 4-3.
The seven-time world champion was struggling a bit in the middle of the game but then rediscovered his form impressively as he claimed the final two frames in short order, knocking in a 69 and the 132 to win it.
O’Sullivan was full of praise for the crowds and set-up at the International Championship and Chinese events in general.
‘Best tournaments in the world, the fans are amazing, we’re supported really well, you only have to look at this venue, how great it is, the facilities, it’s beautiful,’ said the Rocket.
‘We’re happy to be here, all the players love being here, we’re treated very well. So it’s a pleasure for all of us to come here and play in China for all of the events, you really make us feel special, which is all the snooker players ask for. Well we don’t even ask for that, but you offer your wonderful hospitality which is gratefully appreciated.’
He also had a message for Mink, posting on social media: ‘An absolute privilege to play such a talented opponent. Thank you for the game and good luck in the future.’
O’Sullivan takes on He Guoqiang in the next round, the 24-year-old who has played the Rocket twice and won twice.