O'Sullivan qualified for the last 16 with a 10-3 demolition of the French Canadian Alain Robidoux. But he angered Robidoux with his decision to play a number of shots towards the end left-handed.
When Robidoux criticised his Essex rival for being "disrespectful", O'Sullivan hit back in no uncertain terms. "I didn't give him any respect because he didn't deserve any," the 20-year-old from Chigwell said.
"I'm good left-handed, I've made 90 breaks playing that way. In fact, I'm better left-handed than he is right-handed.