O'Sullivan does enough to lead Fu

Ronnie O'Sullivan's second best was still good enough to give him a 5-3 overnight lead in the UK Championship third round against Marco Fu.

The defending champion managed just one half-century in a two-hour session against the world number 27 from Hong Kong.

But he was behind only once when former Grand Prix finalist Fu opened the match with a break of 107.

Fu could not build on his good start despite making a 37 clearance in frame six to draw level at 3-3.

Fu had chances to force a re-spot in frame seven but suffered an unfortunate in-off on the green. O'Sullivan made the most of his second chance and then took a scrappy eighth frame when neither player compiled a break above 17.

The standard on the adjoining table was much higher between John Higgins and Steve Davis.

And it is Higgins who will re-start 5-3 ahead against after twice making century breaks, including a valiant attempt at a 147 in frame six.

Higgins potted his way towards a £32,500 (€50,700) bonus, taking 14 reds and 13 blacks. Steadily running out of position he left himself with an awkward shot on the 14th black and missed it.

Davis played his part in an entertaining session. He levelled at 1-1 with a break of 94, made 77 in the fifth and after Higgins missed the yellow in frame eight, cleared up with 27.