Ronnie O'Sullivan showed the importance of a good pre-match meal as he nearly turned up late to his English Open clash on Wednesday after his kebab lunch ran over - but still managed to skewer his opponent.
The 45-year-old, always a charismatic figure on and off the snooker hall, made it to Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes in the nick of time before his match against Michael Georgiou after enjoying a 'long lunch' at a nearby Turkish restaurant.
He arrived unprepared and it showed as he lost the opening frame to the Cypriot, but battled back with an 82, 127, 129 and 108 to earn a 4-1 win and move into the tournament's Round of 32.
O'Sullivan admitted he was 'all over the gaffe' after realising he was up next while tuning into the action during his meal out with friends.
'I turned up with seven minutes to go,' he said. 'I was still in my jeans and trainers. I got my gear on. I was all over the gaffe.
'I should be meditating 20 minutes ago but I wasn't. I knew I would be like a rabbit in the headlights. So, I tried to stay in the match for as long as I could settle.
Ronnie O'Sullivan nearly turned up late to a match after spending too long eating his kebab
The snooker star said he was 'all over the gaffe' after his 'long lunch' overran in Milton Keynes
'I was over in the kebab shop with my friends, having a good time, putting the world to rights and thought 'I better go now' as the previous match had finished.'
The world No 3 said he would rather be late for the match and docked a frame than rush through his food - but was still able to polish off his kebab, and even some baklava, before heading into the action and his quality saw him through
