Ronnie O'Sullivan coasts into second round of Xi'an Grand Prix

The £850,000 ranking event in China is a new addition to the World Snooker Tour, and O'Sullivan - competing in his 33rd consecutive season as a professional player - will have his sights set on the £177,000 top prize this Sunday.

It was a straightforward and, at times, seemingly casual victory for the 48-year-old, as his opponent from Hong Kong spurned opportunities and struggled to settle.

Breaks of 72 and 52 in frames one and two, respectively, helped O’Sullivan go 2-0 up. Wang - who has recently returned to the professional circuit having graduated through the UK Q School - looked set to get on the board with frame three, but missed a yellow when 27 up and with no reds remaining.

O’Sullivan could only tie, but after snookering Wang which the 27-year-old was unable to escape from, ‘The Rocket’ produced a brilliant green to black clearance to pinch the frame; potting tricky brown and black balls near side cushions.

Wang led by 45 points to nil in frame four but once again couldn’t fully convert as O’Sullivan pounced to lead 4-0 going into the mid-session interval.

On resumption, O’Sullivan - who was nowhere near his best, nor did he need to be - secured a low-scoring fifth frame to set up a last 64 meeting with Hungarian teenage rookie Bulcsu Revesz on Tuesday.

Away from the table, O’Sullivan has been in China over the last couple of weeks playing in a couple of high-profile exhibition events and enjoying his time in the country.

During the morning session at the Xi'an Qujiang E-sports Centre - which can accommodate around 10,000 spectators - World Champion Kyren Wilson moved into the second round after he defeated Pakistani rookie Haris Tahir, 5-2. Wilson faces last season's Rookie of the Year, He Guoqiang, next up.

Mark Selby compiled breaks of 136 and 111 during a 5-3 victory against 16-year-old wildcard Wang Xinbo. The four-time World Champion - who recovered from 3-2 down - plays Ireland's number one Aaron Hill in the last 64.

Elsewhere in the tournament-opening session, Zhang Anda and Jamie Clarke also both won held over round one ties, while Hammad Miah, Si Jiahui and Gong Chenzhi progressed to round three (last 32).

17-year-old Gong - in his first season as a professional - saw off world number 13 Tom Ford, 5-1.

For the full draw, results, schedules, format, prize money and how to watch, please visit our 2024 Xi’an Grand Prix Tournament Information Centre here.