Ronnie nearly sent Chinese crackers by Wenbo
Ronnie O'Sullivan held off a spirited fightback by Liang Wenbo to book his second round place at the 2010 Betfred.com World Championship
Holding a comfortable 7-2 lead after the first session, most people thought it was a mere formality for O'Sullivan to wrap up the match.
However Liang Wenbo had other ideas. A run of 48 gave Wenbo the first of the day butd O'Sullivan stole the next with a 34 clearance after Wenbo opened the frame with 46.
A few minutes later it was 9-3 as O'Sullivan fizzed in a 60 break. But then it all changed.
Wenbo suddenly found his form and rattled in 61, 103 and 127 to bring the score back to 9-7 as an increasingly anxious looking O'Sullivan watched on.
The first chance in frame seventeen fell to O'Sullivan and once he'd fired in the opening long red, he never looked like missing as he rattled in the match winning 73 break.
And it was a relieved O'Sullivan after the match.
"I had to find something from somewhere, the pressure was building on me. Once he [Wenbo] got in the groove I knew he could reel off a few frames, so I'm relieved to get through.
"I just didn't get going today and Wenbo played alright. Towards the end he looked very dangerous.
"I was disappointed yesterday. I had a chance for a 147. I got a warning. But you can get a warning for anything these days.
"I think the nerves play a big part here and unless you settle and find your rhythm it's going to be tough out there.
"I'll look forward to playing Mark on Saturday. It'll be a tough game. I don't think you could get a harder draw than to have Mark in the second round.
"I sent him a text to congratulate him on winning China. He wants me to do an exhibition down at his club, but I'm not reall in the mood to do exhibitions at the moment.
Relations a few years were reportedly frosty between the two players but O'Sullivan insisted they're best of buddies these days.
"We get on great. We've grown up as juniors. I like Mark.
"I was going through a rough time back then. I was angry with everyone. It was nothing to do with Mark.
"Sometimes you say things you don't mean. I can't take those words back but I apologised and it's all in the past now. Water under the bridge.
O'Sullivan was also full of praise for Steve Davis, appearing at the Crucible for the 30th time, aged 52.
"He's just still loves the game, you got to give him credit. He's an amazing man, we're lucky to have him in our sport."
Wenbo was disappointed not to find his form in the first session saying "Obviously trailing by such a big margin after the fisrt session, I was relaxed because you feel deep down that the match is maybe out of your reach.
"So I just wanted to go out there play my game, and hopefully to produce my best game for all the fans to see.
"This is the World championship, it's the most important tournament and you always want to play your best in this one.
"After I came back from 7-2 down to only 9-7 down, Ronnie must have been feeling some pressure, but in the end he proved why is the world number one.
"He looked very calm producing that winning break.
"I think Ronnie will play better next round, I hope he does well, but now I have to learn from that match to help me for next season."
Wenbo will now have to wait on the results of other matches to see if he will retain a Top 16 place. He stands at 14 provisionally, but he has players such as Graeme Dott, Peter Ebdon, Joe Perry all vieing to take a Top 16 place.
