World Grand Prix

O`Sullivan through despite low display.

"If I play Micheal White I'm going home" said O`Sullivan after match.

Ronnie O`Sullivan survived a scaring test against Rod Lawler in the First Round of the World Grand Prix, in Llandudno.

Lawler was hardly criticized for slow playing on social medias, but it meant a lot for Ronnie who needs to prove he is in the right frame of mind ahead to the World Championship, tournament which the 32 players in, won't be so much different from the 32 in this one.

The first frame was very scrappy, then in the end Ronnie completely missed a safety on the Green, which somehow Rod potted and didn't positioned himself properly for the Brown.

He had failed in a lot of positional shots in the frame already, but he decided to take a very risk shot in the brown to a top corner pocket. He missed it and Ronnie capitalized the opening frame, what did a massive difference for him, to be always in control of the match.

Rod Lawler then made a 115 clearence in the second frame, a break that despite took 15 minutes to be made, were worth to tie the match.

Ronnie dominated the third frame with a top break of 53 but Lawler still had a couple of chances, chances which he took advantage from in the next to make it 2(7)2 putting the pressure on Ronnie O`Sullivan.

Lawler had a very decent chance and looked certain he was going leading 3-2 but he lost positoon on 31.

He then potted a long red to get a 32 point lead but then tried to pot a black snookered hitting cushion first and white crashed a red giving Ronnie 7 points and a chance which he made a 54 Break from (his highest in the match).

In the sixth frame, Rod missed several chances which would turn the match into a decider, but O`Sullivan finally ended up with a 49 break.

It wasn't near his best, but at the moment the most important thing in those kinds of game is getting the victory and not letting yourself mind be shoot down by your opponent's slow playing style.

"I haven't picked up a cue since the last tournament  and you can't expect competing with these guys after one month off.

If I play Michael next round I'm going home but I just want to enjoy life now." Said Ronnie after the match.

"Luckily", O`Sullivan will face Robert Milkins as he beat Michael White 4-2. The 'Best of 7 match' will be tomorrow (Wednesday - 18) at 19:00 Local/Welsh time.

Neil Robertson, Mark Selby, Stuart Bingham and Stephen Maguire all compiled centuries passing the first round without scares.

Allen came down to a decider but did not enough to beat China's Liang Wenbo while Peter Ebdon knocked Shaun Murphy out in a close match which Murphy forced a decider just for Ebdon to make a century and go through to the Last 16. As I said in my tournament preview, I expected Murphy to advance for the Final and even be the Champion depending on how O`Sullivan's form should be, but I also said any result here wouldn't be a shock as the players in the tournament have been the best 32 in the World for the last 10 months. Anyway I never expected Peter to overcome Murphy, whose really failed to show the form he had when I tagged him the best player in the world.

Ricky Walden easily made his way to the Last 16 beating Ding 4-1. Ding is hardly winning a match this season, the moment he's living is a disaster, but after last season where he won 5 Ranking Events, it will never be normal to announce Ding lost in the first Round. It's usual, not normal.

Check all results here.

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