RONNIE O’SULLIVAN required just 40 minutes yesterday to seal his place in the second round of the World Snooker Championship with a 10-1 win over Jackson Page.
Resuming 8-1 in front after a dominant opening session on Wednesday, the world number one duly swept up the two frames required to book a last-16 clash with Ryan Day.
His victory was the 48-year-old’s most emphatic at the Crucible since his 10-1 triumph over Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh at the same stage four years ago.
Page, who had been restricted to just a hint of his promise when he racked up a 142 total clearance in the seventh frame on Wednesday, returned with his fate effectively sealed.
The 22-year-old was once again punished for running out of position in the opener, as O’Sullivan stepped up to take it with a break of 79, and more mistakes in the second wrapped up a quickfire win for the seven-time champion.
“I played well, cued well. Jackson is a really good player and I knew I had to be on my game. It was one of the hardest first round draws you could get but I’m pleased with my performance,” said O’Sullivan following his triumph.