LOST THE POT
Snooker star and notorious hothead smashes cue on the floor before referee intervenes in ill-tempered clash
The 20-year-old has previously taken a verbal swipe at Ronnie O'Sullivan
SNOOKER star Antoni Kowalski has seen red during a bad-tempered clash with Joe Perry.
The 20-year-old was given a ticking off by the match referee after taking his frustration out on his cue.
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Kowalski faced Perry in a Scottish Open qualifying match on Tuesday night.
The World No. 104 cut a tetchy figure throughout and lost his cool in the sixth frame.
Leading 3-2 in the best-of-seven match-up, Kowalski missed a regulation red to the bottom right pocket.
Walking back to his chair, the visibly frustrated youngster smashed his cue hard into the ground.
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He was given an immediate telling-off from the match referee, who held his arms out wide in exasperation.
It came after an earlier incident where Kowalski fluked a pink on his way to a 63-49 fifth frame.
As the ball dropped into the pocket after hitting two cushions, Perry could be heard appearing to say "p***k" from his seat.
One fan gasped on X: "Why would you do that, especially against a young inexperienced player. Unbelievable."
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Another said: "A lot going on in this match!"
While a third argued, referencing Kowalski's rush of blood: "I don’t understand why the ref had a go there to be honest. A bit of emotion makes for good viewing."
Snooker legend Jimmy White walks out of match at Northern Ireland Open at critical point leaving opponent and ref bemused
Kowalski held on to win the bad-tempered match 4-3.
It continued a poor run of form for Perry, who has now won just three of his last 10 matches since July.
Rising star Kowalski has earned a two-year tour card after impressive performances on the amateur circuit.
He courted controversy earlier this year after claiming seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was "arrogant."
Speaking to the , he said: "My hero when I was six or seven years old was Shaun Murphy.
"Mostly because I met him then, the first professional I met, as well as Mark Selby.
"I also love John Higgins, I like how he plays, he’s just class.
"Also Judd Trump, just a great player."
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Referencing O'Sullivan, he added: "I don’t know how to say it, but he’s pretty arrogant.
"No, he’s a good guy, genius on the table for sure, he’s one of the best players of all time, but he’s not one of my favourites, if I put it like that."
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O'Sullivan has three children - two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket's on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O'Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded 'snooker's greatest feud'.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous 'Snotgate' row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O'Sullivan articles.
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