Ronnie O’Sullivan has been warned that one of his opponents is currently ‘unplayable’ ahead of his return to competition at the Welsh Open.
Neil Robertson insists his long game has ‘never been better’ and that he will go to Llandudno with confidence following this week’s Championship League match.
O’Sullivan has taken a break and has not competed since winning a World Open qualifier against Alfie Burden on January 23.
He opted out of the German Masters in Berlin last week to focus on his ‘health and wellbeing’.
The Rocket has been in sensational winning form, having won the last three tournaments he has entered, including the season’s first two Triple Crown events.
Robertson has had a season to forget so far,
showed signs of returning to form in Germany before being eliminated in the round of 16.
This week in Leicester, the 2010 world champion returned to near-peak form, winning the Championship League Group 4 final.
He beat Barry Hawkins in Thursday’s semi-final before defeating Kyren Wilson 3-2 in the final.
To enter the Welsh Open main draw, Robertson and O’Sullivan must first play a qualifier on Monday.
Robertson takes on Wales’ Jackson Page, while O’Sullivan faces Scotland’s Liam Graham.
The two are in different halves of the draw and could meet if they both make it to the final.
After a difficult few months, Robertson can now see his form at the table coming together.
He has issued a warning to his rivals.
He replied, “Yeah, I definitely think [I’m close to my best].” Some of the matches I’ve played this week have left me unplayable at times.
“The long balls have been absolutely fantastic, and I’ve changed my approach to how I’m playing them by returning to the way I used to play many years ago, with everything pretty much plain ball.
