Ronnie O’Sullivan speaks to Sports Extra prior to this evening’s Irish Masters semi-final against world number one John Higgins.

By Paul Bryan

25/3/00: Ronnie O’Sullivan is confident of qualifying for Sunday’s B&H Irish Masters final, however, the Londoner is wary of the fact that his opponent tonight, John Higgins, is playing some excellent snooker.

Speaking about the young Scot’s wonderful display last night - which included a first frame maximum break - O’Sullivan was full of admiration, "The way John played last night, I mean he played really, really well. He looks to be hitting form so I will need to be somewhere near my top form to realistically give him a game."

The world number four added, "You’re always confident that you are going to get a result, it just all depends on who gets off to a good start. I think if one of us races into a two or three-nil lead then that puts pressure on the other person because they have to get the momentum back and try to keep winning frames."

The Rocket arrived at this stage of the tournament following a 6-4 win over Matthew Stevens, his first victory over the Welshman this season. Referring to that contest O’Sullivan said, "It was a strange game really, he played a better safety match than me and he looked more solid than I did, and I actually ended up winning the match which was a funny sort of thing really. I was just delighted to get the result."

O’Sullivan won this tournament two years ago, however, he was stripped of the title and the prize money when he tested positive for cannabis. Asked if he thought that his punishment was deserved O’Sullivan gave an emphatic reply, "No I do not. No-matter what anybody else says, I was the winner in 1998. I looked at the tribute to the previous winners of the Goffs tournament and I saw Ken Doherty’s picture and I thought ‘when did he win it’ and then I saw the year 1998 and I thought ‘I won it in 1998’. But its just one of those things isn’t it. I know I won it."

Yet O’Sullivan returned last year and again this year because he enjoys the tournament so much, "I love playing here, it’s a great venue, there is a great atmosphere and this all makes for good close matches. There are some venues you go to and you don’t get the atmosphere. Here, both players get right up for the occasion and it makes for exciting snooker.

Had Jimmy White managed to beat John Higgins last night then Ronnie would have played against someone he admired greatly whilst growing up. "Jimmy White was one of my heroes so I’m obviously disappointed not to be playing him. It would have been a great occasion because he has got such a good following. But John (Higgins) is the number one in the world and tonight is going to be another good occasion."

If he wins tonight O’Sullivan will not be overdoing it in relation to celebrating as he prefers to remain fit and focused during tournaments. "When I’m playing I like to keep quite clear and then maybe after, hopefully Sunday, I will sit down and have a few drinks. I’ve been in the swimming pool the last two mornings at half past seven just doing a few lengths. Snooker is like business really once its out of the way there is plenty of time for celebrating."

If O’Sullivan is to win this evening it would be his third victory over Higgins this season.

Tonight’s game could well be the match of the tournament so far. Both are enjoying excellent form and both are desperate to win this title. The match is due to begin at 7.15pm.