European Masters snooker 2022 - Ronnie O’Sullivan scrambles to split opening session of final with Fan Zhengyi

Ronnie O’Sullivan took the final two frames to escape on level terms at 4-4 with Fan Zhengyi after the first session of the European Masters final. O’Sullivan was imperious in advancing to the final in Milton Keynes, but he appeared a different player for much of Sunday afternoon at the Marshall Arena. Ad/> But he pounced on a routine missed black off its spot from Fan in the seventh frame to take that and the eighth to get out of the session on level terms.

European MastersEuropean Masters final LIVE – O'Sullivan hits back to level Fan after first session4 HOURS AGO O’Sullivan took the opener, but Fan hit back by seizing on O’Sullivan errors to take the second and third frames. The 2003 winner of the event was able to get on level terms at the interval despite being nowhere near the form of earlier in the week. There was hope that the 15-minute interval would provide a reset for O’Sullivan, but it was not the case as Fan took frames five and six to ensure he would return in the evening on level terms at worst.

O'Sullivan suggests he could pull out of Welsh Open It makes me feel like Superman — O'Sullivan After establishing a two-frame cushion, it was Fan who made errors in the seventh. He had demonstrated excellent safety earlier in the match, but a dreaded double kiss on a red handed a chance to O’Sullivan. Aside from his battling win over Zhang Anda, O’Sullivan’s play was of a very high level earlier in the week.