Welsh Open 2023: Ronnie O’Sullivan whitewashes Ben Mertens to make quarter-finals

Ronnie O’Sullivan remains on track for a record-equalling fifth Welsh Open title following a 4-0 whitewash victory over Ben Mertens to reach the quarter-finals. It was a much more straightforward night for O’Sullivan after tip problems in the earlier rounds had threatened to derail his tournament.

Ad With a new tip now in place, O’Sullivan hit two breaks of 55 and a break of 68 to seal a far more comfortable win than when he needed a deciding frame to beat Mertens in the English Open in December. Welsh OpenHow O'Sullivan was stopped from quitting Welsh Open by unique act of sportsmanship5 HOURS AGO O'Sullivan will meet fellow veteran John Higgins or Tian Pengfei for a place in the semi-final.

A half century put O’Sullivan in control of the opening frame, and a missed red to left corner from a nervy Mertens allowed the Rocket to finish the job. Mertens — in his first year on the pro tour — had stunned Jackson Page and David Gilbert to make it this far but, certainly in the opening frames, he appeared overawed by the man he calls his hero, simply committing too many mistakes as O’Sullivan moved two frames clear.

Judd Trump stunned by Daniel Wells at Welsh Open Shaun Murphy makes maximum 147 one frame after 145 break against Daniel Wells 'I felt like Neo from the Matrix' — Shaun Murphy blown away by 147 and 145 breaks Clearly struggling with the occasion, the 18-year-old had an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the third frame as O’Sullivan’s break ended at 55, only to pot the white after knocking in the pink. This time O’Sullivan would put the frame to bed to extend his lead to 3-0.