Who is the little known snooker star who has defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan three times out of four?
It sounds like the perfect pub quiz question and few would likely sink the right answer. But Alexander Ursenbacher holds a record many brothers of the baize would dream of. The Swiss star – dubbed the Federer of the sport in his early years – is heading back to qualifying school in a bid to reignite a career which only comes alive against the Rocket. His turmoil at the table led to him sinking to 87th in the world last year.
But his success against the seven–time world champion even earned a quip from the man himself as he joked Ursenbacher should "maybe he should go out there and pretend he’s playing me", during his struggles at last year's Northern Ireland Open. But the 27-year-old believes there's a reason why he thrives against who is widely regarded as the finest ever to pick up a cue.
And now he is hell-bent on recreating the form which leaves Ronnie racking his brains for answers against the rest of the tour. Speaking to WST, he said: "When I play top players that aren’t Ronnie, I struggle as I feel I have to prove something. When I play Ronnie, he just makes me focus. I refuse to not have the perfect attitude and mindset against him.
"He was actually one of the only players I beat last season. I felt bad heading into the game, but five minutes beforehand on the practice table in Milton Keynes it was all gone. I was so motivated, because my mum and friend were there, to do well. It was just all clear for me. I have nothing to lose against him and I know I can do it. I can’t really explain it, but he just gets the best out of me.”
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