The Rocket pockets quarter-final berth

Ronnie O’Sullivan extended his winning record over Shaun Murphy, prevailing 5-3 to make the quarter-finals of the World Open snooker championships in Yushan.

Having elected to adopt a limited calendar for the season, this will be the Rocket’s first quarter-final appearance since making the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters last August. 

The Rocket stated earlier this week that he has spent his time away from the match arena rebuilding his game and technique. He previously revealed that the one goal left in his career is to capture a record-breaking eighth World Championship crown. 

Victory today for O’Sullivan avenges a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Murphy earlier this season, at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. It also means O’Sullivan has now beaten Murphy in 15 of their 19 professional meetings. 

It was Murphy who took a 2-1 lead this afternoon, top scoring with 139 in the second. However, from there 41-time ranking event winner O’Sullivan powered for the line. Breaks of 70, 121, 89 and 76 saw him take four of the next five to secure a last eight tie with Ryan Day, who beat Latvia’s Artemijs Zizins 5-4.

After today’s win O’Sullivan stressed it is performances over results which are his main focus at the moment. 

“Shaun has been playing unbelievably. He has been so strong. I was happy when I got to 2-2. I thought at least I’ve been involved in a game against a top quality player. To win is even better,” said 50-year-old O’Sullivan. 

“If I can get my cue through the ball I will be alright. It doesn’t matter whether I win or lose. I am able to do that now. It has been torturous to be honest with you. It has been really hard work. 

“For me, just going out there and playing is a victory. Whether I win or lose is irrelevant. For me to be able to go out there and not feel scared is a victory. I am happy to go out there and feel that if I get a chance I might do something. Before I was thinking please don’t miss, don’t let me on the table. This is what was going through my head.”

Mark Allen’s 5-0 whitewash win over Zhou Yuelong saw him book a quarter-final slot, as well as secure his place at the upcoming Sportsbet.io Tour Championship in Manchester, where only the top 12 performers of the season are invited. 

Allen crafted a top score of 129 during today’s win. The result sees him earn a meeting with Wu Yize, who beat Masters champion Kyren Wilson 5-2. After today’s game Allen said that he hopes a more aggressive approach will help him in the run in for the season. 

Allen said: “I want to try to score heavier, but you can’t force it. I feel that the last few tournaments I have been taking more on. That is down to confidence. I am forcing myself to do that in practice. You sometimes look silly and lose frames to people you expect to be beating. I feel that is helping me though. I am saying to myself that I’d go for it in the club so go for it now. It is going to take time.”