It was the biggest comeback ever seen at the Crucible as the Belgian Bullet reeled off 11 frames on the spin and won 12 of the last 13 to stun the 20-year-old.
Si is on debut at the Crucible this year and has enjoyed a remarkable run, beating Shaun Murphy, Rob Milkins and Anthony McGill, but O’Sullivan felt that the pressure of the iconic venue finally got to him.
The Rocket says it happens to almost everyone at some stage in Sheffield, but Si will have to learn from the experience and deal with it if he is to shine here in future.
Speaking when the score was at 14-14, O’Sullivan told Eurosport: ‘He’s been scoring heavily all tournament and for some reason something’s not working.
‘He’s had chances. I don’t know, it’s weird. The Crucible can do that to you. It can really tighten the arm up. Once the arm tightens up you can’t think more than two balls. It’s a nightmare.
‘I think that’s what’s happened to him. He’s totally frozen, can’t get his cue arm through. Pressure out there at the Crucible can do that to you.
‘It’s ok once, if it happens to you, but if you start making a habit of it you can’t win this tournament, because someone’s going to ask those questions at some point.
‘If you can’t get your cue through, if you’re going to get stage fright…it’s what the Crucible can do to you, I’ve had it before, it happens to all the players out there. It’s horrible to watch but that’s what the Crucible does to you.’
Si did manage to halt the Brecel procession in the 31st frame, making a brilliant 91 to end his run of 11 frames lost on the spin.
O’Sullivan was glad to see him show that quality and not sink to an even more morale-sapping loss.
‘I’m pleased that Si got his action back towards the end and finished on a high,’ he said. ‘It would have been horrible if he’d lost all those frames on the trot and not made a break in the last 10 frames.
‘At least he got over that, put up a fight and Luca had to win it, and he won it well.
‘Hopefully Si will learn from that, just Crucible nerves, next time in that situation just be patient and get out of it quicker.’
MORE : ‘I have no regrets’ – Si Jiahui hails Luca Brecel after Crucible collapse
MORE : Luca Brecel reacts to ’emotional and crazy’ comeback to beat Si Jiahui and reach World Championship final
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