Ronnie O'Sullivan breezes past David Lilley in first round of English Open 2021, John Higgins also wins

Updated 01/11/2021 at 22:22 GMT

After losing the opening frame of the match to amateur David Lilley, Ronnie O'Sullivan hit form to book his place in the secound round of the English Open. John Higgins also advanced with a 4-1 win over Zhao Jianbo that included a 135 break to start the match, but Mark Allen lost. Stream the English Open live and on demand on discovery+

'That is a fantastic shot' - O'Sullivan produces sensational shot in win over Lilley

Ronnie O’Sullivan overcame a slow start to beat amateur David Lilley in the first round of the English Open.

Six-time world champion O’Sullivan was below his best in the early stages of the contest in Milton Keynes but still came through by a comfortable 4-1 margin.

O’Sullivan will next face Michael Georgiou as he bids to win the tournament for a second time after also lifting the trophy in 2017.

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Asked in the Eurosport studio about his performance, O'Sullivan said: "I really wasn’t sure how I was going to play tonight because I was trying a new tip and I felt alright.

"I am a bit optimistic that I might have found a tip that I can play with that’s consistent because it’s been a nightmare really. The last tournament I didn’t even use my own cue, I had to use a spare cue because the tip on my cue was awful, and I got in the match and was found out. I thought I better not do that again!

"I have gone back to a John Higgins cue action. It might not look the same but if you can replicate in your head what he is doing then I feel like I am getting much more touch and feel and it feels a bit more compact. That worked well for me for a while."

‘This is how you like them!’ – O’Sullivan drops ‘dangerous shot’ against Lilley

O’Sullivan managed just seven in the opening frame as Lilley took the lead with breaks of 55 and 34.

A quickfire break of 65 set O’Sullivan up to level the match, and an expertly-played red along the cushion helped the world No 3 move 2-1 ahead.

Lilley missed a red on a break of 20 in the fourth frame and O’Sullivan seized the opening to move further into the lead with a break of 85.

O’Sullivan looked to be racing towards the finish line only to run out of position on a red with 22 on the board. However, given another chance to return to the table he quickly wrapped up the win.

John Higgins swept into the second round with a 4-1 win over Zhao Jianbo. Higgins opened with a break of 135 and also made a 99, 68 and 71 in a strong showing.

Neil Robertson won 4-0 against Andy Hicks and gets an automatic bye to the last 32 following James Cahill's withdrawal, but Northern Ireland Open champion Mark Allen was beaten 4-1 by Luca Brecel, who made three half-century breaks.

Judd Trump was victorious earlier in the day while Mark Selby also advanced.

Shaun Murphy survived a scare as he came from 3-2 down to beat Duane Jones.

Yan Bingtao eased to a 4-1 win over Aaron Hill while Stuart Bingham made three half-century breaks in a 4-1 victory over Ng On Yee.

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