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O'Sullivan hits maximum 147 break at 'hellhole' venue

Ronnie O'Sullivan has slammed the conditions at the English Open

Five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan struck a maximum 147 break on Wednesday at a venue that only two days before he had condemned as a "hellhole" that smelt of urine. The 15th maximum break in the career of 'The Rocket' came as he concluded a 4-0 win over Allan Taylor in the second round of the English Open at the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley, near Gatwick Airport. O'Sullivan, speaking on Monday, told the BBC: "This is about as bad as I've ever seen. It's a bit of a hellhole. "I don't know what this gaff is, but I've just done an interview and all I can smell is urine." But he was focused on the task at hand on Wednesday, saying a 147 was in his sights as soon as he struck his opening pot. "I did think about it from the first red because I thought I've got to try and do something in this match to get myself excited," O'Sullivan told Eurosport. Nevertheless, the outspoken O'Sullivan insisted: "From about 40-odd I was in bits, I was twitching all over the gaff. "My back arm was like a bit of fish, flapping all over the gaff and then they've (fellow players) all gone quiet to watch the max and I thought, 'That's the worst thing you can do, just carry on playing, make some noise, do something'. "When it went too quiet you felt the pressure is on you even more. I didn't even fancy potting that (last) black to be honest with you, I was feeling it," he added.