Crucible latest: O'Sullivan hits century trail

The Rocket faced Sheffield-based Liang Wenbo in their opening match, and O'Sullivan got off to a flier knocking in two centuries early on to open up a 3-1 lead.

Liang, who lives in Sheffield during the season and is based at the World Snooker Academy at Sheffield's English Institute of Sport, managed to claw a frame back but O'Sullivan knocked off the next two frames to stretch his advantage to 5-2.

A break of 86 soon made it 6-2, and O'Sullivan was in the balls quickly in the final frame of the first session. Eight blacks and reds had dropped and the Englishman was in prime position for a maximum 147. But he missed a long red into the corner and the 147,000 jackpot was gone.

Liang missed a simple red into the centre pocket and it summed up the China star's luck as he reached the halfway stage trailing 7-2, in their best-of-19 match.

The match concludes Tuesday afternoon.

Elsewhere, there were victories for qualifier Martin Gould and Ali Carter, who beat Jamie Cope 10-4.

Gould had to come from behind to beat Marco Fu 10-9.

The Londoner trailed Hong Kong's Fu 8-6 before winning the next three frames.

Fu edged the penultimate frame to level at 9-9 before Gould clinched the match with a fine break of 90.

In the evening session, Steve Davis started his 30th year of Crucible action, up against fellow Romford player Mark King.

While on the opposite table, Mark Williams and Marcus Campbell returned to finish their first round match.

Double world champion Williams led 5-4 from the morning session, with both players trading the opening two frames to leave the score at 6-5 to the Welshman.

And that was soon 7-5 after Williams compiled a 71 clearance in the 12th frame.

Campbell was in danger of being cut adrift, and was first amongst the balls in the next frame, but failed to press home his advantage.

Finely balanced with just blue, pink and black remaining, Williams missed a simple blue, but once again Campbell was unable to take control as he left the black hanging over the pocket to gift the Welshman frame 13, for 8-5.

Williams - who won the China Open last time out - knocked in a break of 87, clearing to the black, to stand just one frame away from victory.