Rocket on course for three on trot

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’S bid to become the first player in 15 years to win three successive ranking titles remains on course after he reached the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters.

O’Sullivan, who captured the World Championship last May and the Northern Ireland Trophy in August, defeated Joe Perry 5-3 on a day when Jamie Cope made a maximum 147 break and still lost his match.

Cope became the 10th player to compile more than one maximum in professional competition but was still beaten 5-2 by Mark Williams.