Ronnie O’Sullivan to use exhibitions to sharpen game before World Snooker Championships after shock World Open exit [Video]

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN plans to use exhibitions to sharpen his game before the Crucible.

The world No 1 exited the last 16 of the World Open as he lost to Hossein Vafaei 5-4 in Yushan.

Iranian Vafaei, 29, came from 63-37 down in the final frame, sealing the victory only on the last colour after O’Sullivan missed a routine black.

The Rocket, 48, is his own worst critic and rates his technique and execution over the past two years — since he was King of Sheffield — as only “four or five out of ten”.

To win a record eighth world crown this spring, O’Sullivan will engage in some friendly fire.

He said: “It wasn’t meant to be. A lot of stuff is fate.

“Usually 99 times out of 100, the better player usually wins. That’s how the match unfolds.

“He deserved his victory, he played …