O'Sullivan battles back to take lead
Ronnie O’Sullivan overcame a hesitant start to gain an invaluable first session lead over Stephen Maguire at the Embassy World Championship in Sheffield today.
Title holder O’Sullivan resumes 5-4 up on the UK champion from Glasgow tonight and has already achieved a career milestone.
The world number one came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to take control of their best of 19 frames clash-their fourth meeting this season.
He now requires another five frames to make a successful start to his trophy defence and become the first player into the last 16 of the £1.2million event.
However, Maguire is far from finished as he attempts to avenge last year’s defeat at the same stage.
The highlight of the morning play was O’Sullivan’s break of 115 in the sixth frame. It was the first century of the 17-day marathon and the 400th ton of his career.
Only seven times world champion Stephen Hendry has compiled more; indeed the world number three is well on his way to 700.
O’Sullivan might have rounded off an entertaining session with another century but had to settle for 99 to move 5-4 up.
The unpredictable ’Rocket’ also added rus of 72 and 73 as he shook off the rustiness caused by a longer than normal lay-off.
O’Sullivan withdrew from the recent China Open in Beijing on health grounds.
And his last ranking event appearance was on March 13 when he defeated Matthew Stevens in the final of the Irish Masters.
O’Sullivan defeated Maguire en route to his fourth piece of silverware of the season in Dublin to avenge earlier defeats at the British Open and UK Championship.
So, it was no surprise when Maguire took a 2-0 lead in only his second ever appearance at the Crucible.
O’Sullivan did not pot a ball in the first frame as Maguire opened with 50.
And the Scottish born O’Sullivan lookalike racked up another half century to double his advantage.
But he could not capitalise on his impressive opening as O’Sullivan was level by the mid-session interval.
However, the champion, playing shots both right and left handed, was not entirely at ease. He kicked out at a table leg during the fourth frame – shades of 12 months ago when a number of obscene hand gestures marred his opening couple of wins.
O’Sullivan only calmed down after the arrival of Welsh legend Ray Reardon.
This time the six times world champion is at the Crucible from day one.
Reardon certainly had a steadying influence on the Chigwell cueman 12 months ago and O’Sullivan hopes their partnership proves as successful again.
Maguire’s third half century in frame five took him 3-2 in front – the same start he made to their game last year.
Back came O’Sullivan with his effortless 115 and he recovered from 50-1 down to go 4-3 ahead with a 73.
Maguire took frame eight with modest efforts of 35 and 26 only for O’Sullivan to knock in 99 to put his nose in front.
Progress on the adjoining table was far slower though David Gray was not complaining.
O’Sullivan’s 2000 conqueror took a 4-0 lead before his Nottingham opponent Anthony Hamilton, beaten by the Rocket in 2004, opened his account in frame five.
With a possible four frames remaining it seemed inconceivable they would finish before the start of the afternoon games at 2.30pm. And that would mean extra frames being added on to tomorrow’s final session.
