Ronnie O’Sullivan off to a flyer as quest for record eighth world title begins

Ronnie O’Sullivan cruised into an 8-1 lead over Jackson Page (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ronnie O’Sullivan roared out of the blocks in his quest to become the first eight-time world champion in the modern era as he built an 8-1 lead over Jackson Page in the first session of their first round match at the Crucible.

O’Sullivan looked up for the task from the off as he fired four half-centuries plus a break of 122 in the fifth frame as he left the young Welsh qualifier next to no chance of rescuing the situation when they resume to a conclusion on Thursday.