Rocket blows 147 chance

John Higgins enjoyed a comfortable win

Ronnie O'Sullivan came within two pots of his sixth career maximum break in his second round win over Anthony Hamilton at the LG Cup.

O'Sullivan's 147 chance arose in the fifth frame as he cruised to a 5-2 victory in a match which lasted just 85 minutes.

The former world champion potted 15 reds, 15 blacks and the colours up to the pink before breaking down in sight of a £25,000 cash bonus.

I knew there was a bit of pressure out there but it's not as if I don't know how to handle it

Ronnie O'Sullivan

"I'm really sick. It would have been great to get another maximum," said O'Sullivan.

"I just went a bit wonky at the end. Anthony said to me after the game 'you lost concentration' and he was right."

Thrashed

O'Sullivan also recorded breaks of 85, 56, 52 and 43 to earn a meeting with Quinten Hann or Michael Holt.

Defending champion Stephen Lee thrashed Shokat Ali 5-0 to set up a match with Alan McManus.

Stephen Hendry joined the big names in round three with a 5-1 win over Tony Drago and now plays B&H Masters champion Paul Hunter or Thailand's James Wattana.

Hendry dashed Drago's hopes

John Higgins also moved into the last 16 with a comfortable 5-0 win, but fellow Scot Graeme Dott stumbled to a heavy defeat.

Higgins was far too strong for Wales' Anthony Davies but Dott struggled throughout as he was beaten 5-1 by Gerard Greene from Northern Ireland.

After his match Higgins criticised the decision of former world champion Alex Higgins to attempt a comeback.

Higgins admits he has been flustered by the publicity surrounding the Irishman's impending appearance at the Benson and Hedges Championship in Mansfield later this month.

"Some people have said it will be good for snooker. Personally I think it will be terrible for snooker," he said.

"I don't know why it is bothering me but I just have to get it off my chest.

"Alex Higgins has had his day. Maybe if he came back fit and healthy it would bring some help to the game.

Undisputed

"It's just a shame snooker isn't in that sort of state where we have to celebrate a sick man coming back into the sport."

Undisputed women's number one Kelly Fisher extended her winning streak to 48 matches over 10 tournaments in the women's event.

The Carlisle-based player came from 1-0 and 2-1 down to defeat Blackpool's Lynette Horsburgh 4-3.

Fisher, no relation to seven-time former world champion Allison Fisher, is unhappy that snooker's governing body did not award her a wild card entry on to this season's main circuit.

"Obviously I'd like to get on the main circuit on merit," said Fisher. "But I was disappointed I didn't get a wild card.

"I'm not saying I would get through to the televised stages straight away, but I know if I had a good run there's no reason why I can't start to knock in a few good breaks."