O’sullivan reaches quarters despite confusion over rules

RONNIE O’sullivan booked his place in the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in Milton Keynes despite appearing to forget the rules.

O’sullivan beat Barry Hawkins 4-1 but only after becoming confused by referee Ben Williams’ explanation of the difference between the three-miss and free-ball laws.

The six-time world champion engaged in a sustained but light-hearted discussion with Williams which concluded with him asking: “Are you sure they’re the rules?”

Williams stuck to his guns and was backed up by match supervisor and former world final referee Leo Scullion.

O’sullivan made a century and three half-century breaks during the win and will next face Kyren Wilson.

Judd Trump, meanwhile, insisted he does not get the credit he deserves after edging past

Stuart Bingham to reach the last-eight.

The World No.1 capitalised on a mistake by Bingham in the final frame to clinch a 4-3 win and keep alive his hopes of reaching his fifth ranking event final of the season.

Trump said: “I don’t know anyone who’s had a start to the season like I’ve had — I think if it was someone else it would be a lot more publicised.”

Mark Selby made safe progress into the quarter-finals but John Higgins and Ding Junhui both crashed out.

Selby registered breaks of 134, 58, 86 and 91 en route to winning 4-2 against Anthony Mcgill.

Higgins then exited with a 4-3 loss to 23-year-old Chinese World No.30 Zhao Xintong.

The Scot battled back from 3-1 down to draw level before Zhao took the deciding frame.

Zhao’s compatriot Ding was defeated 4-1 by Iran’s 37thranked Hossein Vafaei.