RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has been blasted for an abject display against Shaun Murphy in the Champion of Champions.

The Rocket was hammered 4-0 in Leicester, to the disappointment of the crowd.

And former world champion Ken Doherty told ITV: “He didn’t look comfortable out there, there was a litany of mistakes from him.

“He can spark into life so quickly but there was nothing there. He doesn’t look sharp at all.

“From Ronnie’s point of view I would say he’ll be very disappointed and the fans will be as well.”

O’Sullivan, 50, is targeting an eighth World Snooker Championship title next year, but has not won it since 2022.

He is now ranked number 13 in the world but will face a slump if his form does not improve.

But victorious Shaun Murphy said that, despite his crushing victory, the Rocket still maintains his aura.

Murphy commented: “I think if there’s any fear factor gone, I think it’s probably a generational thing. I think maybe for the younger kids who haven’t experienced the pain of what he can do to you, I think that might be the case.

“I think if you’ve not experienced that, if you’re one of the new young kids, you go, ‘Oh, there’s Ronnie O’Sullivan, that’s great, but come on, let’s get on for a match.’

“Players of my generation and a few floating around since…I’ve had some good hidings off Ronnie O’Sullivan over the years and you never forget a good hiding.

“Even in that match, you’re conscious that, yeah he missed a couple of balls over distance, but he could spark into life.

“It’s only while he adapts to the table and as the other player, you’ve got to go, ‘right, I’ve got a chance here whilst he’s not adapted to the playing conditions. I need to strike while the iron’s hot.'”