O’sullivan is Vah too talented

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN lit up the Northern Ireland Open with a potting masterclass.

The Rocket roared to a 4-0 whitewash of Iranian potter Soheil Vahedi in just 45 minutes at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

Three century breaks helped do the trick as O’sullivan delighted his army of fans on the second day of this week’s £366,000 ranking tournament.

“It was a good little workout I suppose!” said O’sullivan (above).

“My game’s still not fantastic, but I’m scoring alright.

“My B game is pretty decent though, so I keep nicking a few wins where I can.”

O’sullivan compiled an 86 to win the opening frame and then pocketed breaks of 111, 116 and 108 to leave world No 97 Vehadi shell-shocked.

The five-time world champion has now made 970 career century breaks.

“I’d like to get 1,000, it would be nice,” added O’sullivan. “I’d be the first player in the game to achieve 1,000.

“It would be nice to get to the milestone because the snooker fans seems excited by it. I’d like to do it for the fans.”

Belfast boy Joe Swail gave the home fans something to cheer about during a 4-1 win over Luke Simmonds.

But Antrim’s Jordan Brown was dumped out 4-1 by Robin Hull whilst Dublin’s 1997 world champion Ken Doherty crashed out on the same scoreline against Scott Donaldson.

Dungannon’s Patrick Wallace, a former World Championship quarterfinalist, was whitewashed 4-0 by fellow golden oldie Peter Ebdon.

Dubliner Fergal O’brien was thumped 4-1 by England’s Dave Gilbert, a former potato farmer.

World No 1 Mark Selby pocketed breaks of 85, 122 and 41 in a 4-1 triumph against Anthony Hamilton.