WELSH OPEN SNOOKER
Venue: Newport Centre Date: Monday 25 - Sunday, 31 January
Coverage: Exclusively live on BBC TWO Wales and online, plus score updates on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 live and online

O'Sullivan was quick to capitalise on frequent errors from Cope

World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan needed only 55 minutes to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open with a 5-0 demolition of Jamie Cope.

The 34-year-old, who won this tournament in 2004 and 2005, had breaks of over 50 in four of the five frames.

Having reached the mid-session interval with runs of 60, 73 and 60, he broke down on 43 in frame five but after Cope missed he clinched the match with a 52.

There were also victories for John Higgins, Mark Williams and Mark Selby.

O'Sullivan was 37 ahead with only one red remaining in the first frame and soon settled it with a clearance of 32.

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Cope responded with a 47 in the next but missed a straightforward black and the frame was finally decided by a masterful clearance to the pink of 38 by O'Sullivan, the run including a superb positional shot from the yellow to the remaining reds on the side cushion.

After a rapid 73 won the third for O'Sullivan, Cope missed another routine black and O'Sullivan took advantage, potting a sublime yellow with the aid of the rest on the way to a 60 break.

Following the short interval, O'Sullivan compiled a calm 43 before giving away a miss.

Cope, though, could not capitalise and O'Sullivan took advantage with another half century to set up a meeting with Mark Allen, who beat former World Championship finalist Matthew Stevens 5-2.

In the evening matches, Williams almost matched O'Sullivan's 55-minute whitewash of Cope, taking just 60 minutes to end the challenge of 2007 finalist Andrew Higginson.

Williams will now meet Stephen Maguire - 5-1 victor against Barry Hawkins - for a place in the last four.

Williams confirmed his recent return to form by rolling in breaks of 44, 66 and 75 in the first three frames, his opponent scoring just five points. Higginson started the next with a run of 32, but Williams hit back to take it with a 68.

The Welshman's confident stride around the table quickened the pace in frame five as he added an 89 to seal a 5-0 victory.

World champion Higgins was in equally impressive mood defeating fellow Scot Graeme Dott 5-1.

Masters champions Selby was made to work hard for his victory against Mark King, eventually prevailing 5-3.

Selby will now meet Higgins in the quarter-finals while the other match in the last eight sees defending champion Allister Carter face Welshman Ryan Day.

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