Snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan capitalised on mistakes from his opponent and a slice of luck to build a 6-2 lead over Neil Robertson in their World Championship second-round match today.
A contest which had been billed as potentially the best of the tournament was expected to be close, but 'The Rocket' will be delighted at opening a four-frame advantage which certainly flattered him.
Robertson, the Australian who is the only man to have won two ranking titles this season, started in terrific fashion with a break of 87 only for O'Sullivan to level it up with a 104.
It looked set to go 2-1 to the 'Melbourne Machine' but he over-cut the last blue to a middle pocket and the 31-year-old Englishman cleared up.
In the fourth frame came some good fortune for O'Sullivan as he fluked the last red having missed his attempt at a long pot, and he also took the next two to move 5-1 up.
A run of 70 reduced Robertson's deficit, but then the Grand Prix and Welsh Open champion missed the brown off its spot early in the final frame of the session and O'Sullivan took full advantage with a clearance of 100.
On the other table it was honours even as 2002 champion Peter Ebdon and Mark Selby ended their opening session level at 4-4.
Selby, who beat Stephen Lee in the first round, went 3-1 in front at the interval with a break of 76.
But last year's runner-up responded with a 66, 62 and 60 to edge ahead before a 57 from the Leicester professional restored parity.