Ronnie O’Sullivan a shoo-in for place in Crucible last 16

Ronnie O’Sullivan swerved the threat of a fine for playing in his socks as donning a pair of “stinky old shoes” proved punishment enough at the Crucible.

The five-time champion returned on Wednesday to finish off a 10-3 victory over Craig Steadman, a 32-year-old from Manchester who endured a painful debut.

O’Sullivan was hurting too after earning his last-16 place, having started the match in a new pair of dress shoes which he discarded during Tuesday’s opening session due to the acute discomfort they were causing him.