World Snooker Championship 2022: Ronnie O’Sullivan ahead of Judd Trump

As the six-time champion seized a 5-3 lead over Judd Trump in the World Championship final, Ronnie O’Sullivan accused referee Olivier Marteel of “searching for trouble.”

The Belgian issued a written warning to the world number one for a gesture made in the final frame of the session.

The ensuing debate overshadowed the finish of an engrossing first session.

O’Sullivan told a foreign sports channel, “I get a vibe with the guy.”

“It’s as though he’s looking for problems.”

O’Sullivan continued: “Hundreds of cameras have been deployed. I’m not having it because I believe he’s attempting to construct something.”

Marteel, who is presiding over his second world final, chastised O’Sullivan for making a vulgar gesture, causing the player to urge the official to check the camera.

Trump went on to win the frame, but he seemed angered by the timing of an incident that occurred during the campaign.

O’Sullivan had earlier complained about a security guard moving in his line of sight during the third frame, and he was also involved in a lengthy discussion with the referee about where the white should be placed after a miss in the fourth frame, suggesting Marteel should play the shot himself at one point.

The WPBSA disciplinary committee has already opened an investigation into the 46-year-old after he allegedly made a vulgar gesture after missing a black in the 13th frame of his 10-5 first-round triumph over Dave Gilbert.

Trump, the 2019 winner, won the first frame with a controlled break of 72, but was subsequently rocked as O’Sullivan took over the following five frames with two brilliant hundreds and a break of 68.

In a tense finale to the round, Trump, who had his table time limited, answered with a 97 and held his nerve to decrease his deficits.

Trump, who had failed to convert opportunities of his own and was guilty of some poor shot selection when given a free ball, was given a reprieve by O’Sullivan’s failure to get position on the yellow and following foul, and he appeared happy as he departed the arena.

O’Sullivan, who is aiming for a record-tying eighth global title, defeated Kyren Wilson in the first session of the 2020 final before winning the match 18-8.

Trump’s ability to contain the damage was crucial, especially after he appeared flustered after handing O’Sullivan the fourth frame of the afternoon, missing a red, yellow, and green before dropping a free ball and losing on a re-spotted black.

Their final will begin at 19:00 BST on Sunday evening.