Jackson Page on facing Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'It's just a nightmare'

Jackson Page really struggled to perform against Ronnie O’Sullivan (Picture: Getty Images)

Jackson Page felt like a ‘rabbit in the headlights’ in his World Snooker Championship clash with Ronnie O’Sullivan, saying facing the Rocket is a ‘nightmare’ task.

The world number one hammered the 22-year-old 10-1 in the opening round in Sheffield, strolling into the last 16 where he will face Ryan Day.

Page is an excellent young talent but showed little of what he could do against the seven-time world champion, although he did make an excellent break of 142 in the only frame he won.

O’Sullivan may be known for his own immense break-building skills but Page explains that it is the safety side of the Rocket’s game that really puts you in trouble as his opponent.

‘I was like a rabbit in the headlights first four frames, just couldn’t get anything going. It was just bad really. Managed to get a break in the seventh frame, but apart from that it was poor, wasn’t good at all,’ said Page.

‘It’s always tough playing Ronnie, he puts you in positions and I couldn’t get in. He puts you in positions and you know you can’t miss. You know your safety has got to be good and mine wasn’t today or yesterday.

‘I like playing against the best players because usually I bring my best game, but I just didn’t. You can’t play well all the time, so I’ll just look forward to the next.

O’Sullivan entertained the crowd in Sheffield yet again (Picture: Getty Images)

‘It is tough out there against the top players, especially Ronnie, he’s so used to it out there and I’m not.

‘Everyone knows he can pot and break-build, all players can do that, obviously he does it prolifically. But his safety is probably the best on tour by a fair bit. But because his break-building is so good no one sees that. He puts you in positions that no one else can put you in.’

Page is far from the first person to fail to perform against O’Sullivan, admitting that the biggest star in the sport does have an aura about him.

‘He has an aura, everyone says that, but he does have an aura about him,’ said the Welshman. ‘I’m not even too bothered about that but he does have it and you feel it. He just puts you in positions that not many people can do. It’s just a nightmare.’

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