Ronnie O’Sullivan sees off Mark Davis in Wuhan Open, as Mark Selby crashes out

O’Sullivan – whose first-round victory over Ken Doherty meant he would stay top of the world rankings for now – made two half-century breaks and a 101 clearance against Mark Davis before eventually getting over the line 78-50 in the sixth frame.

Next up for O’Sullivan will be China’s Pang Junxu, a 5-3 winner over Stuart Carrington on Monday.

Mark Allen could yet knock seven-time world champion O’Sullivan off the world number one spot if he goes on to win in Wuhan, the first ranking event to be held on Asian soil after four years off the calendar.

China’s Si Jiahui will play the Northern Irishman in the third round on Wednesday after his 5-4 win over Wales’ Jak Jones in the evening session, which was secured with a break of 101.

Elsewhere in Tuesday’s action, four-time world champion Mark Selby was edged out by Xu Si in a final-frame decider during the morning session, the Chinese player wrapping up victory with a clearance of 125.

Home favourite Ding Junhui was beaten 5-0 by compatriot Yuan Sijun, who produced runs of 102, 120 and 100 in a comprehensive performance, while John Higgins, who reached the semi-finals of last week’s English Open, lost 5-1 to Martin O’Donnell.

Stuart Bingham, though, had little problem as he saw off Welshman Daniel Wells 5-1, making a break of 132 as well as five half-centuries.

Ali Carter scored a break of 145, the joint-highest of the event so far, in his 5-1 win over Jamie Clarke while there were also victories for Barry Hawkins, Ashley Carty, Matthew Selt and Sam Craigie.

Former world champion Neil Robertson is out after a 5-3 defeat by Liam Highfield.

Following another early tournament exit, the Australian took to social media to reassure fans he was still focussed despite a dip in form.

“Everything is fine. Just missing Australia a bit and have a big trip planned towards the end of the year where I’ll miss the last few events,” Roberton wrote on X.

“I should have gone last year after my best ever season and mentally paid the price.

“Everything is going great with practice and preparation and very much like the result today, over the past 12 months most of my opponents have played the match of their season/career. Big results are incoming, but patience is the key.”