Ronnie O’Sullivan backed for Masters glory at Alexandra Palace as Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty preview event

Ronnie O’Sullivan has been backed by Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty to excel in his “backyard” at this year’s Masters.

The prestigious non-ranking tournament begins on January 8 at Alexandra Palace in north London with O’Sullivan looking to land his eighth title in his home city.

“I think Luca Brecel’s game is made for Ronnie,” said Hendry. “Ronnie will be in his comfort zone. Luca is very open and if they’re not going in he’s going to give Ronnie plenty of chances.”

Despite victories in Hong Kong and the Champion of Champions events, in ranking tournaments so far this season O’Sullivan is yet to show his best form.

Early exits at the Northern Ireland Open, English Open and Scottish Open were accompanied by a thumping quarter-final defeat to Ding Junhui at the UK Championship.

However, Hendry and Doherty believe a return to London will be a “different kettle of fish” for the seven-time world champion, who will be eager to impress as well as get his season back on track.

“Ronnie didn’t play well at all,” Hendry said of O’Sullivan’s recent displays. “He lost to Ding 6-0 in the UK Championship. An unbelievable result but this is his backyard, isn’t it?”

Doherty agreed, stating: “This is his backyard. This is one of the tournaments he really gets up for.

“I don’t think he’s been mentally prepared for, particularly the Scottish Open, but for this tournament, it’s a different kettle of fish for Ronnie O’Sullivan.

“He feels it’s his tournament, it’s in his own backyard. He’s going to have great support. It will be a tough day for Luca.”

The pair also predicted that O’Sullivan will beat Mark Williams in the quarter-final to set up a final-four showdown with Mark Selby.

“Of all the players Ronnie hates playing it’s Mark Selby,” suggested Doherty. “At one stage, he labelled him ‘the Torturer’. They have an immense rivalry.”

Hendry agreed that the prospective clash could prove difficult for O’Sullivan, although he still expects him to progress:

“He enjoys playing these other players because the game flows, whereas Selby can put a stranglehold. It depends which Mark Selby shows up.

“Having won that seventh world title, he [O’Sullivan] wants triple crowns.”

The two men were undecided who O’Sullivan would face in the final with Henry picking Neil Robertson and Doherty suggesting Mark Allen would be his opponent.

“He [Robertson] loves playing Ronnie in finals,” said Hendry. “He’s not won anything this year. Could this be the one?”

“[Mark Allen] is my elephant in the room. He loves playing Ronnie as well,” added Doherty, but he also issued a warning to whomever his opponent is.

“If you let Ronnie get ahead of you, he just steamrolls you. It’s very important, whoever is playing him, to stamp their authority early in the match.”

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