Ronnie O'Sullivan has opened up a 10-6 lead over Luca Brecel in their World Championship quarter-final.
The 47-year-old is bidding to win a record-breaking eighth title, and he will be delighted to hold a four-frame advantage over his Belgian opponent.
Brecel came out of the gate with a 93 break but after being pegged back for 2-2, he watched O'Sullivan surge into a 6-2 lead by the end of the opening session.
That was despite O'Sullivan almost gifting him the seventh frame when his waistcoat made contact with the black, resulting in a seven-point penalty, only for Brecel to miss a frame-clinching pink after a poor set-up shot.
Upon their return in the evening, Brecel produced a majestic 128 and momentum was growing as he got back to 7-4 and 8-6 during different stages of the second session.
However, O'Sullivan took the final two frames to establish a 10-6 advantage ahead of returning tomorrow afternoon.
One ball on the table. Two world champions trying to pot it.#CazooWorldChampionship | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/6P8DSxxDJh
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) April 25, 2023
Meanwhile, unseeded Welshman Jak Jones withstood a comeback from Mark Allen to head into their final session level at 8-8, winning three of the last four frames.
In Tuesday's afternoon fixtures, the tussle between Mark Selby and John Higgins and contest between Anthony McGill and Si Jiahui are both locked at four apiece.
Selby and McGill will be the happier of the two players, each of them facing three-frame deficits at one point before hauling themselves back level.
