Hossein Vafaei sends balls flying in crazy break-off against Ronnie O'Sullivan

Hossein Vafaei's controversial break against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the World Snooker Championship has got fans online talking.

The second frame of their second-round match at the Crucible sent social media wild after Vafaei played a curious break-off against O'Sullivan.

The Iranian, ranked 23 in the world, performed a bizarre break-off as he smashed the balls apart, leaving the crowd shocked.

His decision backfired as the 'Rocket' won the frame by producing another break of 78 to lead 2-0.

Vafaei smashed the reds open on the break off before Ronnie produces another break of 78 👀@WeAreWST | #CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/CwdvP2jQNG

— Eurosport (@eurosport) April 21, 2023

Naturally, snooker fans online took aim at Vafaei's break-off, accusing him of losing the mind games.

One Twitter user wrote: "Vafaei has already lost the battle of the mind games after that, what is he doing."

A second tweeted: "Vafaei looks dazed. What was that break all about?"

A third added: "How has Vafaei lost his head already in the second frame?"

A fourth argued: "Good to see Vafaei isn’t rattled by Ronnie."

Another commented: "WTF?! Vafaei with a Ronnie style break off."

Steve Davis and Shaun Murphy also slammed Vafaei's decision to play that crazy break-off.

Davis said: "It’s not nice, it’s not good. It’s not a personal game, snooker - your problem is the table and the balls, not your opponent."

Murphy added: "Without your composure, you lose everything."

Vafaei's break-off comes after O'Sullivan did the same thing during their match at the German Masters in October 2021.

He sent the balls flying in a mad break-off, losing the game.

The Ronnie-Vafaei beef from the start till now pic.twitter.com/8E1qiagITs

— Ronnie O'Sullifan (@_RocketFan147) April 20, 2023