How The Rocket's Demise Has Blown The 2011 World Snooker Championship Wide Open

Once the standard bearer for the new generation of snooker players, Ronnie O'Sullivan has now become something of a white flag-waver.

O'Sullivan: Heading down the rankings

The three-time former world snooker champion, successful at the Crucible in 2001, 2004 and 2008, has slumped to No.10 in the provisional rankings having just endured the worst run of his professional career ... and is drifting markedly in the outright betting for this year's tournament (best price currently 8/1).

It seems highly unlikely the Essex cueman will be adding a fourth world title to his collection in Sheffield this year - O'Sullivan last won the prestigious event three years ago with a masterful 18-8 demolition of Ali Carter. Sadly the Rocket's recent form includes a late withdrawal from the German Masters added to dismal showings at the Welsh Open, Masters and China Open.

Talk of a premature retirement, a favourite subject of O'Sullivan in press conferences, is looking less fanciful by the day as the best player the game has seen since the all-conquering days of Davis and Hendry shows little sign of averting the current crisis in his form. Even the sport's leading figure, WPSBA chairman Barry Hearn, has stated the game 'can live without Ronnie O'Sullivan'.

But If Not O'Sullivan ... Who Else?

The slump of many people's favourite for the title leaves the betting for this year's event wide open. Just 12 months ago it was Neil Robertson who landed a first world title but the Aussie now finds himself at double-figure odds (10/1) for a repeat.

John Higgins (11/2) has obvious claims. The Wizard of Wishaw, like O'Sullivan, is a three-time winner in Sheffield (1998, 2007 and 2009) and has been in great form this season after his ban for 'improper conduct'. The Scot could face Ronnie in the QF's ... should he make it that far!

Alternatives include Mark Selby (runner-up 2007) who performs well over the longer Crucible format. The Leicester man is a 6/1 shot just ahead of Mark Williams (17/2) who is looking to add a third win to previous triumphs in 2000 and 2003.

A danger to all could be the Chinese player Ding Junhui. Ranked No.5 the reigning Masters champion is touted as the man to land China a first world champion. Ding (9/1) has solid claims and will be a danger to all in the top half of the draw - which is significantly weaker than the bottom section.

It promises to be a fascinating event and with O'Sullivan bound to make the headlines once again - for what we'll have to wait to find out! - interest in the betting markets will surely be greater than in many recent seasons.

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