Ronnie O’Sullivan races past James Cahill to reach Welsh Open second round after European Masters final loss

Ronnie O’Sullivan bounced back in style with a swift 4-0 victory over James Cahill in the first round of the Welsh Open. Two days after losing the European Masters final 10-9 to Fan Zhengyi, O’Sullivan was back in action in Newport. Ad/> He opened with breaks of 53 and 83 to take a 2-0 lead, and finished with a 90 to book a meeting with Lukas Kleckers for a place in the third round.

Welsh OpenWelsh Open 2022 LIVE – O'Sullivan through, Williams on now, Robertson and Trump play this evening6 HOURS AGO O’Sullivan may have led the head-to-head 4-1 going into this meeting but it was Cahill’s famous 10-8 victory over ‘The Rocket’ at the 2019 World Championship that will have reminded the world No. 2 of his opponent’s capability to cause an upset. Cahill had the first opening of the match after O’Sullivan’s first break clipped the blue, but he was only able to post eight on the board.

A safety error from Cahill then gifted O’Sullivan with a chance to seal the frame, and though he needed two visits a 53 was enough to edge in front. Welsh Open 2022 LIVE – O'Sullivan, Trump, Williams, Robertson among stars in action ‘One of the biggest shocks’ – Snooker world rocked by ‘incredible’ O’Sullivan loss The joy that O'Sullivan still provides is needed now more than ever Another safety exchange went O’Sullivan’s way in the second frame, and he punished Cahill with a rapid 83 after splitting the reds early on. A superb long red helped O’Sullivan get going in the third frame, but his break of 47 was halted when a pink failed to drop into the middle pocket.