World Championship - Ronnie O'Sullivan Advanced To Second Round

World Snooker Championship Day 4 - Ronnie O'Sullivan beaten Peter Ebdon by 10-4 to advance to the second round.

The Rocket with new haircut

'The Rocket' had a new haircut today to continue the challenge from Ebdon. Ronnie led Ebdon by 7-2 before the second session kicked off, requiring just three more frames to win. He opened with a break of 80 but Ebdon won the two frames out of the coming three to keep his hope alive. Ebdon trailed Ronnie by 4-9 at mid interval.


Ebdon was very likely to win another frame after the interval but he broken down on 50. Ronnie caught the chance and made clearance to claim the 10-4 victory. "I enjoyed playing - my attitude was good, my attitude's been good all season even though I've not been playing great," said O'Sullivan. "I've not been beating myself up so much for not playing great which is what I always do.''

Peter Ebdon

He added, "All credit to Peter, he's a top player and winner of our last tournament out in China, I knew it was going to be tough, that's what I got." Ebdon praised his opponent, "Even though he didn't play that well in that match there were four or five occasions of just sheer brilliance and inspiration, he's just fantastic to watch."


Former World Champion Graeme Dott, who has a good record at the Crucible trailed Joe Perry by 1-8 at the end of first session. Dott had no way turning back in the second session with 'nightmare snooker form', eventually being crushed out in the first round by 10-1. This is the biggest defeat in the first round so far in this year's championship.

Andrew Higginson

Andrew Higginson is the third Welshman to pass the first round after beating Stephen Lee by 10-6. Having a 5-4 narrow advantage over Lee overnight, Higginson won five frames he needed with Lee only scoring two frames today including a ton of 102. This is his first victory at the Crucible, and he will play fellow countryman Jamie Jones next. 

Higginson is pleased, "I'm over the moon to get through," "Stephen's been the most consistent player over the last three or four months, he's been the best player in the world in my eyes, so to play him and to get one over on him is an achievement in itself, so I'm thrilled.'' "Everyone was expecting Murphy to get through and all the seeds, but the standard of the game is very very high and Jamie deserves to be where he is because of the way he played.''

Judd Trump led Dominic Dale by 5-4 after first session as he got food poisoning in the morning and playing not well. Ding Junhui trailed Ryan Day by 4-5. Mark Selby struggling against Barry Hawkins, falling 3-6 behind the Snooker Shoot-Out Champion.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule