Snooker legend O’Sullivan opens hunt for historic world title with monster victory | Sports Other

The 48-year-old O’Sullivan was lord and master from the first frame against Page, who is 42 places lower than the English world ranking leader. In no time the scoreboard read 6-0.

Then Page was able to save the honor. The 22-year-old Welshman did this in no uncertain terms. He presented the audience at the Crucible Theater in Sheffield with a 142 break. That is a rare high score, awfully close to the magical 147 break.

Page then had to watch O’Sullivan sink the balls into the pockets with surgical precision. ‘The Rocket’ completed the match, which started on Wednesday and ended on Thursday, without any problems.

O’Sullivan is joint record holder with seven world titles. When he becomes world champion for the eighth time in a week and a half, he will finally leave the Scottish great Stephen Hendry behind. In the eighth finals, O’Sullivan will play against Welshman Ryan Day.

Belgian title holder Luca Brecel was already eliminated by Englishman David Gilbert on the opening day of the World Cup. World top players such as Mark Selby, Ding Junhui and Mark Williams also surprisingly died in the first round.