RONNIE O’SULLIVAN CRITICISED the “shocking” standard of the UK Championship following his 6-3 win over Peter Lines at the event, and implied it was partially to blame for Kilkenny’s David Morris upsetting world champion Mark Selby at the weekend.

The early rounds of the Championship are being played on four tables at a time rather than two, as is normally the case, while a lack of atmosphere at the event has not helped matters, according to the star.

“I reckon there’s going to be a lot more shocks until they get down to the two-table set-up,” O’Sullivan told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It’s like asking Roger Federer to go and play on court 13 at Wimbledon in front of three men and a dog.”

He also implicitly suggested these conditions contributed to Morris’ stunning win over the reigning world champion.

“I said at the start of the tournament you’re going to see some really weird results this week because you’ve got four tables and it’s not ideal playing conditions.

“It’s really tough out there because you’re playing with your back to the crowd so you don’t actually feel like you’re playing to anybody.”

O’Sullivan has been playing through the pain as he is currently suffering from a foot injury, and admits there is a temptation to take it easy on account of this problem, as well as the other issues.

“The tables are playing really shocking. It’s going on to the cushions at one mile an hour and coming off at three miles an hour.

“I’m in the second biggest tournament we play in and I’m thinking of not using cushions. Then I got my foot broken and I’m thinking maybe this would be a good time to lose — but your instinct kicks in and you battle on.”

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