Title-hungry Ronnie O’Sullivan is fasting in his bid to win a record eighth world title. The Rocket, 48, is salivating at the prospect of more silverware in Sheffield having ruled the world on seven separate occasions.

World No.1 O’Sullivan devoured Jackson Page 10-1 in the first round. And fuelled with delicious dim sum, O’Sullivan saw off wasteful qualifier Ryan Day 13-7 to reach a 22nd Crucible quarter-final.

“I’m intermittent fasting for this tournament because it gives me more energy,” disclosed O’Sullivan, who is starving himself for up to 17 hours a day. “There are certain things I do. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to win, but I need every little advantage I can get at this stage.

“It’s a tournament of endurance, stamina, concentration. For me intermittent fasting gives me a bit more energy. I’m doing 16 or 17 hours at the moment.

“I try to stop at seven at night, but it’s hard here because you’re playing matches. It’s great. I feel good. I’m 48 and I feel energised. If I eat too much I get sluggish.

“Animals in the forest they go a couple of days without food and they get hungry and get their prey, eat it and digest it for a while. They’re not having three meals a day and snacking of a night.”

Lifting the treasured trophy once again would complete a season Triple Crown for the first time in the Rocket’s record-setting career after wins at the UK Championship and Masters this term.

But the Chigwell ace revealed he has been crippled with anxiety over his performance for the past two years, despite racking up seven titles since winning the Worlds in 2022.

It got so bad that O’Sullivan was prescribed with medication. He added: “When I find this game hard my life gets harder. When I find this game easy it comes good to me, life becomes a pleasant place again.

“I’ve had such a long time in the doldrums. For two years I’ve held it down, I’ve not really mentioned anything but it’s been really challenging.

“I’ve had to take medication for the anxiety and all that sort of stuff, even in small tournaments, even when I’m not playing. That’s how bad the game can make me feel at times. But I’m getting a bit more optimism and belief that I can sustain my form.

“I played great for three years once, never had a bad day, so it can happen, you just have to get everything right.” O’Sullivan resumed 10-6 ahead and finished the job with breaks of 85, 67 and 53.

Outclassed Day reflected: “I thought he looked quite good in patches but for some reason he looked vulnerable as well. I missed too many easy balls.”