Welsh Open: Rocket through to face Jordan Brown for the title

By Tom Lea

RONNIE O’Sullivan advanced to the final of the Welsh Open after conquering long-time friend Mark Williams 6-1.

O’Sullivan, a four time winner of this event got a walkover to the semi-final stage while Williams, a two time winner in his own right, held his nerve to win a last frame thriller against Tom Ford.

Frame One

The Welsh Potting Machine lived up to his nickname in Frame One as he rapidly compiled a break of 73 to take the lead. O’Sullivan returned to the table to get used to the conditions but he still found himself one frame down.

Frame Two

The acclimatisation had clearly helped the Englishman however as he would respond in the second frame, crafting a break of 102 to level the tie.

Frame Three

The Rocket continued to cue masterfully as the match entered frame three, piecing together another frame-winning break of 77 to turn the match on its head.

Frame Four

The Englishman continued to dominate as the match entered its fourth frame, once again making an excellent break of 54. A poor positional shot would threaten to derail him as Williams closed to a 27 point deficit but once again, O’Sullivan showed his class, clearing down to the blue to give himself a two frame lead at the interval.

Frame Five

Frame five was a closer affair with neither man able to make a telling break of any description. A tense, tactical battle would ensue and ultimately, O’Sullivan would take advantage of a poor positional shot from the Welshman, expertly cutting in a red en route to a break of 30.

Frame Six

Faced with a three frame deficit, the man from Cwm knew he couldn’t afford many more mistakes. He would build a break of 19 to open the sixth frame but then misjudged a red to hand the initiative back to his opponent.

The Rocket would capitalise once more, this time opening up a lead of 18. Williams fought back however, narrowly taking the lead once more. He couldn’t make a telling break however, allowing O’Sullivan to clear down to the blue and move within one frame of victory.

Frame Seven

The man with the most ranking titles in his career would prove once again why he is considered by many to be the best ever, rattling in a fantastic break of 69 to book his place alongside Jordan Brown in the final.

Scores:

F1: 36-79 (Williams)

F2: 115-1 (O’Sullivan)

F3: 77-0 (O’Sullivan)

F4: 74-27 (O’Sullivan)

F5: 61-27 (O’Sullivan)

F6: 65-40 (O’Sullivan)

F7: 70-30 (O’Sullivan)