O'Sullivan socks it to Steadman at snooker championship

Ronnie O'Sullivan completed a routine 10-3 victory over debutant Craig Steadman at the World Championship on Wednesday, having played part of the first-round match in his socks.

O'Sullivan took off his shoes during play on Tuesday after complaining that they were uncomfortable, briefly playing in his socks before being loaned new footwear by tournament director Mike Ganley.

The five-time world champion's unusual action left him facing the prospect of a £250 ($377, 350 euros) fine for contravening the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association's dress code.

But Nigel Mawer, head of the WPBSA's disciplinary department, told Britain's Press Association news agency that O'Sullivan would not face a misconduct charge.

Earlier, O'Sullivan laughed off the incident after sinking Steadman.

"I've got no fashion sense at all," O'Sullivan told the BBC. "I had the last ones for 10 years. I didn't want to get rid of them and then I left them in a hotel and I lost them.

"I had this old battered pair, and I thought, 'I've got to buy a new pair,' and I just bought the wrong pair, basically. They were bashing my feet and I had to take them off. I couldn't wear them."

On borrowing Ganley's shoes, O'Sullivan added: "He said, 'You can't play in your socks,' but I didn't want to play in my shoes either.

"I got a pair of Mike Ganley's stinky old shoes, and you know what, they felt great."

Breaks of 104, 61, 59, 54 and 75 helped O'Sullivan establish a 7-2 overnight lead at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in northern England and despite struggling for rhythm in Wednesday's morning session, the Essex cueman sewed up the win.

He will face Matthew Stevens in the second round after the Welshman saw off compatriot Mark Williams 10-2.

Stevens, who lost to his friend Williams in the 2000 World Championship final, was surprised by the ease of his victory over the two-time former champion.

"It was most unexpected really -- I don't think I've beaten him since 2003," Stevens said.

"But I didn't say that to him, I was just trying to keep it out of my head. I felt comfortable out there, to beat Mark even 10-9 would be difficult. So to win 10-2 is beyond my wildest dreams really."

As for the prospect of playing O'Sullivan, Stevens said he did not fear facing the 'Rocket'.

"I'm obviously a massive underdog which I don't mind being. I was an underdog against Mark; I wasn't expected to win that match," said Stevens.

"I'm not afraid of Ronnie. If I play well hopefully I'll give him a good game.

"If he gets ahead, like everyone knows he's an absolute nightmare."

China's Zhang Anda briefly battled back against Joe Perry, winning the first three frames of Wednesday's evening session to cut his deficit to 8-4 before the Englishman took the next two to complete a 10-4 victory.
Source: AFP