SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Porto vs. Roma: 18 hrs 15 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Hossein Vafaei talks up last-16 World Championship showdown with Ronnie O'Sullivan

:Headline: Hossein Vafaei talks up last-16 World Championship showdown with Ronnie O'Sullivan:
Hossein Vafaei says that he is targeting "revenge" against Ronnie O'Sullivan after a previous war of words with the seven-time world champion.
Sports Mole

Hossein Vafaei has suggested that he is relishing the "opportunity for revenge" against seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.

On Monday, Vafaei produced some of his best snooker to topple 16th seed Ding Junhui, registering five breaks in excess of 57 to secure a 10-6 win.

The Iranian player will now square off versus O'Sullivan, who shook off the effects of a virus to battle past Pang Junxu by a 10-7 scoreline on Saturday.

O'Sullivan is the heavy favourite to progress further at the Crucible, but his last-16 showdown with Vafaei is set up to be the most anticipated encounter of the tournament thus far.

The pair have exchanged words through the media over the past 12 months, Vafaei claiming in the past that O'Sullivan is "not good for the game".

Since then, O'Sullivan has said that Vafaei has "learned to be quiet", but the world number 23 has hinted that he is motivated to overcome a player who he used to call his idol.

After beating Ding, Vafaei said, as quoted by BBC Sport: "He is a legend of the sport but he is such a nice person when he's asleep.

"He disrespected me before and God has given me an opportunity for revenge, so it depends on me. I have to stand up in front of him if I want to be world champion. Get your popcorn, everyone."

The pair have only squared off on three occasions, Vafaei winning 5-0 in the early stages of the 2022 German Masters in their last encounter.

O'Sullivan had prevailed in the first two contests, at the 2019 English Open and 2021 World Grand Prix, by a 4-1 scoreline.

body check tags ::

amp_article__511644 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2023-04-18 00:07:27:
html db last update - 2023-04-18 00:07:27 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Hossein Vafaei

Share this article now:
RO
Ronnie O'Sullivan pictured in 2016
Read Next:
O'Sullivan to begin world title defence versus Pang
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Hossein Vafaei Ronnie O'Sullivan Ding Junhui Pang Junxu Snooker
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories.
 
Recommended Next on SM
O'Sullivan to begin world title defence versus Pang
Triumphant Tarkowski: Everton score last-gasp equaliser in final Goodison Park derby

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool24176158233557
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15Everton246992530-527
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Will James be fit to start? Predicted Chelsea XI vs. Brighton

1

WJ
Will James be fit to start? Predicted Chelsea XI vs. Brighton

Top Premier League goalscorers of all time

2

TP
Top Premier League goalscorers of all time

Club president opens up on failed Rashford move

NEW

3

CP
Club president opens up on failed Rashford move

Transfer battle: Man United 'eyeing swoop' for Real Madrid-linked defender?

NEW

4

TB
Transfer battle: Man United 'eyeing swoop' for Real Madrid-linked defender?

Salah's silver lining: Liverpool attacker breaks PL record in dramatic derby

5

SS
Salah's silver lining: Liverpool attacker breaks PL record in dramatic derby

Preview: Qatar Open: Elena Rybakina vs. Iga Swiatek - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

6

PQ
Preview: Qatar Open: Elena Rybakina vs. Iga Swiatek - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

The £75m man: Man United, Real Madrid 'among clubs interested' in centre-back

7

T�
The £75m man: Man United, Real Madrid 'among clubs interested' in centre-back

Former Chelsea, PSG players among nine signed by Boavista

8

FC
Former Chelsea, PSG players among nine signed by Boavista

Tottenham 'keen' on ex-Man City attacker but 'face huge battle' for his services

9

T'

Al-Hilal confirm Salah desire: Is Liverpool forward really heading for Saudi Arabia?

10

AC
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .