'I HOPE I'M GETTING THERE'
Snooker star who married ref opens up on health battle after beating Ronnie O’Sullivan rival at Saudi Arabia Masters
Leicester star is confident the worst is over after having a chronic condition for three years
SNOOKER ace Ben Woollaston hopes the worst of his chronic health problems are behind him - after beating Ronnie O'Sullivan's nemesis.
The ex-Welsh Open finalist, who is married to referee Tatiana Woollaston, has seen Chronic Fatigue Syndrome limit his practice time since 2021.
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But the Leicester star, 37, ground out a 5-3 win over Hossein Vafaei to reach the last 32 of the first ever Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
It's a particularly handy win as Iranian No1 Vafaei is pressing for a top-16 ranking and KO'd legend O'Sullivan in the World Open back in March.
Those two have had a niggling feud over recent years.
Vafaei accused the Rocket of "disrespecting him" amid an ongoing exchange of words and antics, although the pair seemed to be over any ill-feeling when they faced off six months ago.
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In contrast, Woollaston had fewer problems with Vafaei at the table - and then explained how he is feeling better and better.
He'd already notched impressive victories over Oliver Lines and Joe Perry earlier in the week.
And although Vafaei went 2-0 up via breaks of 75 and 61, Woollaston rattled off scores of 71, 133 and 57 to lead 3-2.
Vafaei took the next frame to level but two in a row from Woollaston earned him a clash with Zhang Anda.
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The world No59 said: "I think Hossein is basically a top-16 player anyway.
"He is definitely one of the hardest players to face outside of the top 16. It is a great win for me."
He added: "I practise a lot more now. From about New Year onwards, I've started practising more or less like I used to. I hadn't done that for about three years.
"I still have bad moments, but it doesn't last as long.
"I was telling myself in that match that one hour I can feel terrible and the next I can feel alright.
"Before it lasted for days and weeks. I hope I'm getting there.
"I'm not just saying this because I've won, but this tournament has been better than any of the overseas events I've been to.
"The tables are great, backstage is brilliant. It is a great country to eat in and everything is a lot easier. You feel a lot more home comforts."
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