Scottish Open: Ronnie O'Sullivan, Fu, Higgins, Maguire into last 16; Ding out
- Published
Ronnie O'Sullivan napped his way to a final-frame victory against Chinese player Li Hang to reach the last 16 of the Scottish Open in Glasgow.
The five-time world champion knocked in his 920th career century to lead 2-1 before Li took the next two frames.
O'Sullivan, who took several 'power naps' between frames, roused himself to take the final two, clinching a 4-3 victory with an 80 break.
He will play Welshman Michael White later on Thursday from 19:00 GMT.
John Higgins whitewashed Kent-based Northern Irishman Gerard Greene 4-0 to join O'Sullivan in the last 16, wrapping up victory with a superb 113 clearance.
The Scot, beaten in the final last year, will face world number 116 Ashley Hugill later from 20:00 GMT.
Judd Trump and Neil Robertson also enjoyed 4-0 scorelines against Michael Holt and Wishaw-based Chris Totten respectively, while defending champion Marco Fu came through a final-frame decider to beat Zhou Yuelong 4-3.
But Ding Junhui, the world number four, suffered a surprise 4-3 defeat by veteran Rory McLeod.
'I'm knackered. I'm shattered out there'
Glaswegian Stephen Maguire hailed a "very good win" after producing breaks of 77, 78, 78 and 91 to overcome 17-year-old Chinese player Yan Bingtao 4-3.
"Bingtao's got all the game and he's different class so that's a great result," Maguire, the world number 18, told BBC Scotland.
"I wish I had his long potting. His long potting is the best in the game right now.
"He's played better throughout the match and had a wee bit rub of the ball. At 3-2 I honestly didn't think I was going to win but I've played two magic frames there so I'm happy."
Bingtao, 17, who lost the recent Northern Irish Open final 9-8 to Mark Williams, was trying to become the youngest winner of a ranking title - a record currently held by O'Sullivan.
Maguire reached the semi-finals at the UK Championship last week, and like O'Sullivan, is feeling the effects of a heavy recent schedule.
"I'm knackered. I'm shattered out there," added the 36-year-old, who faces another Chinese player, Xu Si, in the last 16 from 19:00 on Thursday.
"I'm actually trying to get myself up for the matches which I never have to do. So it's a fight between myself and also fighting the other guy. I'm ready for a couple of weeks off but I'll still try my hardest.
"I'll go home and do the homework with the kids. It only takes me 10 or 15 minutes to get home so I'll have a cup of coffee, see the kids and come back half an hour before my game."
- Published13 December 2017
- Published12 December 2017