O’sullivan ends resurgent veteran’s White-hot winning streak

Old friends restored old rivalries in Glasgow yesterday, but it was Ronnie O’sullivan left celebrating reaching the Coral Scottish Open last 16 with victory over Jimmy White.

O’sullivan romped to victory when the two met in Northern Ireland just a few weeks ago, but with White having won 13 frames in a row in preparation for the game, expectation was high for an encounter to roll back the years.

But, while neither player delivered their best snooker, O’sullivan, pictured, once again proved the dominant force, going on to face Mark Allen after a 4-2 win.

“I’m so happy with how I mentally approached the match,” said the world No 12. “Neither of us played our best but I still carried on enjoying it. If I missed I wasn’t too worried, but Jimmy played with a lot more confidence than he did in Ireland which was very enjoyable.

“I know I could score a lot better but my mental skills I was really happy with.”

O’sullivan was joined in the last 16 by John Higgins, who whitewashed Mei Xiwen. The world No 3, now the highest seed left in the competition, eased his way through to set up a clash with Dominic Dale, breaks of 88 and 89 doing the damage. Higgins, though, is the last Scot standing, with compatriot Stephen Maguire knocked out by Welshman Mark Williams 4-3 yesterday afternoon. ● Watch the Scottish Open live on Eurosport 1 and Quest, featuring daily studio analysis from Ronnie O’sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.