O'Sullivan faces rankings fear
September 03, 2011 14:06:43 UK
Three-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has admitted that he fears dropping out of the world's top 16 if his form does not improve in the coming months.
I am enjoying playing, but I am not enjoying where I am in the rankings.
Ronnie O'Sullivan
The 35-year-old Englishman has slid down to tenth in the current rankings and would need to qualify for top events if he ends the 2011 season outside the game's elite.
O’Sullivan admitted: "I am enjoying playing, but I am not enjoying where I am in the rankings. I almost expect to drop out of the top 16 because of the way the system is.
"I know I might have to qualify for the UK Championships, might miss The Masters and have to qualify at the Crucible (World Championship).
"I have accepted that possibility, it's not great, but as long as I get a decent run in a few events, hopefully it can be avoided."
O'Sullivan's next opportunity to improve on his current form comes at the Shanghai Masters, where he is 1213.00 to take the title, with world number one Mark Williams 3.00.
O'Sullivan starts his campaign with a meeting with the winner of the wildcard clash between James Wattana and Jin Long, with Thailand's Wattana 1.40 to win that encounter.
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