World Snooker Championship 2022 - Ronnie O’Sullivan powers into commanding lead over David Gilbert

Ronnie O’Sullivan went through the gears to secure a 6-3 lead over David Gilbert after the opening session of their first-round clash in the World Championship at the Crucible. Gilbert came into the match having lost all seven of his tournament meetings with O’Sullivan, but brought up thoughts of a shock when racing into a three-frame lead.

Ad/> However, O’Sullivan got going with a ton in the fourth and never looked back to take control of the match ahead of Sunday afternoon’s concluding session. World Championship'It sounds like somebody’s sat-nav' — O'Sullivan v Gilbert interrupted by bizarre noiseAN HOUR AGO O’Sullivan had a sighter at a long red to the bottom left in the first frame, but it failed to find its target and he was unfortunate to see it hit the jaws of the right middle and leave it on for Gilbert, who cashed in with a telling break to settle the nerves and take the opener.

Gilbert had to come through qualification, but he has form at the Crucible — having made it to the semi-finals in 2019 — and he doubled his lead with a break of 94 in the second. Fortune was on Gilbert’s side in the second, as he missed a red by some way and sent balls round the table but left nothing easy, and got in again shortly afterwards and took full advantage.

After potting one ball in the opening two frames, O’Sullivan got his cue arm moving in the third with a break of 44 — which was a good effort given black and pink were out of commission. However, he did not kill the frame off and after winning a safety battle, O’Sullivan left a gift for Gilbert when missing a tough green and the Angry Farmer cleared the colours to open up a three-frame lead.

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