The Rocket beat Pang Junxu 10-7 on Saturday but was under the weather, looking tired and drained for much of the contest.
He revealed after the win: ‘I was shaky, heavy, just desperate to get over the line.
‘It feels like glandular fever, I had glandular fever a long time ago and it saps the energy out of you.
‘I’m so tired. I can’t wait to get back to my bed. It is what it is, I’m through to the next round, let’s see what happens.’
With a match against Vafaei played over three sessions from Friday to Sunday, the defending champion would be in a difficult situation if he was still unwell, but he says things have improved.
‘Yeah, I feel better,’ O’Sullivan told Eurosport. ‘I had three days just staying in the house – no running, still no running – just resting up as much as I can and just trying to focus on the tournament and give myself a good chance.
‘It doesn’t matter at this time because you don’t need to practise. All the work you have done through the season – sometimes you have some time off and that does you good.
‘It has just been about an hour here or there on the table and you quickly get your feelings back so it does not interrupt any preparation or anything.’
MORE : Barry Hearn relishing Ronnie O’Sullivan and Hossein Vafaei’s ‘crash, bang, wallop’ rivalry
MORE : Mark Williams and John Higgins give their takes on Hossein Vafaei vs Ronnie O’Sullivan feud
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Snooker News Click Here
