Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan said he was “nowhere near” his best level despite only needing 17 minutes to secure the one frame he required to move into the World Championship quarter-finals.
O’Sullivan, 49, held a 12-4 advantage over China’s Pang Junxu after Sunday’s second session, and quickly wrapped up victory on Monday evening with a break of 95 after Pang scored the first 17 points of the frame.
Fan favourite O’Sullivan has won 10-4 over Ali Carter and 13-4 against Pang in his first two competitive matches since snapping his cue and throwing it into a bin at the Championship League event in January.
The Englishman did not play competitively for three months and has said he is trying “to rebuild” his game.
Despite staying on course for a record-breaking eighth Crucible world title, O’Sullivan remained unhappy with how he is playing.
When asked to give his current level of performance a mark out of 10, he said “two”, and that he would “have to start playing a lot better” if he was to win the tournament.
He added: “I need game time and I’m trying to get my game back.
“I don’t mind who I play as long as I play my game. It’s irrelevant who is sitting in the chair, I always back myself if I can play somewhere near my best level.
“I’m not sure I’m close to that but it can click at any time.
“Pot one ball at a time. That feels hard for me to approach the game like that, but that’s where I’m at and have to just keep going.”