I'm great value for money, says Ronnie O'Sullivan

After watching China’s Ding Junhui claim the top-break prize with a maximum in defeat to Neil Robertson this afternoon, O’Sullivan stormed into the semi-finals with a 5-1 thumping of world number one Mark Selby.

And he again defended his actions on Monday when he deliberately scored 146 and declared that the money on offer for a 147 was not enough.

“I think I’ve done brilliant for this tournament,” said the 40-year-old five-time world champion.

“Most people have said to me they didn’t even realise this event was on.

“If you had to go and buy the headlines I’ve created it would probably cost you a few quid so I’ve saved them some money.

“And they’ve had the best of both worlds with a maximum from Ding and the headlines from me so I think I’ve given them great value for money.”

When asked about Ding’s 147 O’Sullivan, who holds the record for most maximum breaks with 13 to date, joked: “He’s let the lads down; I’m very disappointed with Ding. I’m going to have to have words with him!

“No, it was a great achievement,” he added. “It was a good 147 with some majestic positional play on the reds.

“It was a brilliant break and I reckon he’s probably the only one who can overtake me for the maxes as well because he’s that good.

“He’s probably looking at making 20 in his career and he’s got the talent to do it.”

After losing the opener to Selby, O’Sullivan rattled off five straight frames to triumph 5-1 with breaks of 93, 61, 75 and a 132 clearance to seal victory.

But he still insists Australian Robertson, who beat Ding 5-2, is the favourite to win the Welsh Open at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

“We’re down to the semi-finals now so I’ve got a chance,” he said. “But Neil is the all-round professional professional now – like Steve Davis was in the 1980s and Stephen Hendry was in the 90s.

“He’s very disciplined and very strong in all areas so you’ve got to play out of your skin to beat him I think.”