O'Sullivan launches 2009 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship in style
Ronnie O'Sullivan opened up a 6-3 lead over Stuart Bingham after their first session on Saturday morning at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Treated to a rapturous welcome by a packed Crucible, O'Sullivan wasted little time in giving the fans even more to cheer about.
He tuned up with 61 to take the first after a couple of rather nervy looking shots from Bingham.
In frame two the Rocket slipped into overdrive, launching a simply fabulous 140 total clearance, which will set a decent target for the £10,000 high break.
Suddenly it all changed. Bingham found his rhythm, making a solid 67 to take the third, and he added a low-scoring fourth frame to level at 2-2.
On the resumption Bingham pounced when O'Sullivan missed a red on 32, making 43 and following it up with a 58 clearance to take the lead.
Game on, we thought, as O'Sullivan sat in his chair looking distinctly unhappy with the way the match was unfolding.
O'Sullivan opened the sixth with a run of 47 before letting Bingham counter with 42. that wasn't enough and Ronnie stole in to take the frame on the colours and restore parity.
Then we saw the gears click again as O'Sullivan rattled in 72, 104 and 73 in the next 28 minutes to give himself a 6-3 cushion ahead of tonight's concluding session.
