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.

His maximum came in the third frame of his match against Williams and should earn him £22,000 (€28,000), but after winning the fourth frame the 23-year-old lost three in succession as his hopes of reaching the quarter-finals were sunk.

Welshman Ryan Day defeated two-time world champion John Higgins 5-3 while world number two Stephen Maguire beat Stuart Bingham 5-3.

In earlier action, Welsh Open champion Mark Selby beat Mark King 5-0 to storm into the quarter-finals.

The 25-year-old world number four compiled breaks of 48, 68, 48, 44 and 68 to set up today’s last-eight meeting with Marco Fu, who overcame Andy Hicks 5-2. Selby said: “I played really well.

“I didn’t have many big breaks but I didn’t give anything away either.

“I’ve played well in China over the last three tournaments so hopefully I can go one better this time.”

World number 35 Ricky Walden pulled off a stunning 5-4 victory over Australian Neil Robertson, having been 4-1 down.

Six-time former world champion Steve Davis also advanced after a similar win against Northern Ireland Trophy finalist Dave Harold.

Veteran Davis came from 3-0 and 4-1 behind to claim a 5-4 win.