Elliot Slessor proved he’s definitely no numpty as he ousted in-form Ronnie O’Sullivan from the Northern Ireland Open.
The 23-year-old potter – ranked 82 in the world – took down the Rocket 4-1 and then followed it up with a victory against fellow Geordie Sam Craigie to book his place in the quarter-finals.
If the five-time world champion was including Slessor among his 70 per cent estimation of players on the tour who were numpties, he may now want to think again.
Slessor’s performance was cool, controlled and gutsy as he took the match to O’Sullivan. He played the balls as if he wouldn’t get the chance to beat O’Sullivan again – as if it was a one-time only opportunity.
He appeared to have a bit of extra fire in his belly too as if he wanted to prove he’s one of the players lower down the snooker world rankings who is better Ronnie than thinks.
Elliot certainly did this and naturally carried great confidence into his next match. He now finds himself in the last eight of a ranking event for the second time this season.
Earlier in the campaign, he progressed through to the same stage of the Indian Open in a run where he notably beat Shaun Murphy. Slessor’s ability to twice take a big-name scalp firstly proves it’s no fluke but also that he believes in what he’s doing. It’s not easy for players in the bottom 64 of the rankings to get runs in tournaments, especially as they always draw players in the top half of the rankings in round one. It means there’s no easy starters and a succession of defeats can quickly dent confidence.
But Slessor, like others who have enjoyed a couple of good runs this season, will believe he belongs on the tour now and will fancy the job whoever he faces.
He will leave Belfast already assured of decent week’s work but with Mark Williams now the only top 16 player left in the draw, there’s a real opportunity for a lesser-known name to take the spotlight.
