O'Sullivan defeats legend Davis

Venue: The Newport Centre Date 16-22 February
Coverage: Live on BBC Red Button and BBC website; reports on BBC website

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O'Sullivan did not need to be at his best to reach the last 16 in Newport

Ronnie O'Sullivan cruised into the last 16 at the Welsh Open beating six-time world champion Steve Davis 5-2.

Trailing 2-0, Davis compiled a fine 132 to get off the mark but after levelling at 2-2 he saw the world champion hit back with three frames in a row.

Earlier on Wednesday the chances of a home winner disappeared as the final two Welshmen lost in the first round.

World number five John Higgins eased past Dominic Dale 5-2, before Ding Junhui disposed of Matthew Stevens 5-3.

O'Sullivan will face Marco Fu in the last 16 after the Hong Kong player beat Ireland's Fergal O'Brien 5-4 and defending champion Mark Selby cruised through beating Dave Gilbert 5-1.

With O'Sullivan and Davis sharing an edgy opening four frames, breaks of 63 and 118 helped the number one claim the next two, before he secured victory in an error-strewn seventh with a closing 48.

606: DEBATE Despite playing for 20 years, I have just been to my first major snooker finals in Newport. It was fantastic. Anybody else been? 606Globe

"I was a bit rusty because I haven't played much since the Masters," O'Sullivan told www.worldsnooker.com. "I can rely on my ability and some steady play to win a couple of matches.

"I've got to a level where my game is balanced and consistent enough to be able to challenge for tournaments and win a few.

"I'd be surprised if I won this one, but then I've won most of my tournaments without playing that well. This is a great event and the Welsh fans are great, but I really just want to win a couple of matches."

Fu compiled the best break of the tournament so far - a 142 - on his way to victory in a high-quality encounter with O'Brien.

Australian Neil Robertson saw off Scotland's Jamie Burnett 5-3, Mark King defeated Dave Harold 5-3 and Joe Swail brushed off Martin Gould 5-1.