SNOOKER - World Championship:Ronnie O'Sullivan produced the most sizzling session of snooker seen at this year's Betfred.com World Championship but immediately played down the prospect of landing a fourth Crucible title.
A stunning session from O'Sullivan saw him fire in three centuries in seven frames to convert an 8-8 deadlock into a 13-10 second-round victory over Mark Williams, the man he was tipping for the title.
O'Sullivan made breaks of 53, 104, 75, 111 and 106 today, and Welshman Williams later said of his conqueror: "The only person who can beat him in this World Championship is himself."
Just minutes later, O'Sullivan gave a downbeat assessment of his chances of adding to the titles he won in 2001, 2004 and 2008.
"There's no point me getting carried away because over the years I've thrown two or three world titles away," O'Sullivan said. "I know why but I can't cure it. I can't afford to let myself get confident.
"I just have to hope and pray that I get a bit lucky and at the right time find a bit of form.
"I need a bit of luck, I think."
He added: "I'm not getting too upbeat, but it was nice to get through a tough match against a top-quality player.
"I've played too many up-and-down games over the years to even think about getting excited any more.
"I didn't play well really for many of those world titles that I won. In a couple of the finals I was just relieved to get over the line.
"I've managed to win most of my tournaments not playing well so I can do it but it'll be a lot easier on the nerves if I can find a bit of form, a bit of rhythm and just keep applying pressure to the opponents."
O'Sullivan was not wrong to point out his matches can contain the best and worst of him, but against Williams he was largely better focused than in his opening match against Liang Wenbo.
The 34-year-old has suggested he cannot triumph against at the World Championship, but bookmakers have him as a firm favourite - and on the evidence of today's display he can certainly win on May 3.
O'Sullivan grumbled: "I don't think my game is suited to win a world title and I've managed to win three.
"My game was never suited to the 17-day marathon, with my ups and downs. I'm all right over best-of-nines and best-of-11s but get me over the longer ones and you can be found wanting sometimes unless you're consistent."
Williams had looked favourite for the match when he led by two frames with two frames remaining of yesterday's second session.
But then O'Sullivan's form kicked in and dazzling breaks of 66 and 72 meant he finished the evening on a high.
Williams said: "The two clearances he made from 8-6 to 8-8 were incredible.
"He got a little bit of the rub of the green but when you're playing that well you deserve everything you get.
"What can you do? You've just got to sit there and say, 'Well done'.
"Everything about his game is spot on. The only person who can beat him in this World Championship is himself.
"You've got to take your hat off to him. Some of the clearances and the shots he was pulling off, he was just outstanding."
Ali Carter joined O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals with a 13-11 victory over Joe Perry, after almost failing to take advantage of a 10-6 overnight lead.
Perry won five frames in a row to jump 11-10 ahead, but 2008 runner-up Carter fired in breaks of 104 and 82 to edge ahead and then stayed composed to win frame 24 with two scoring visits.
Carter said: "At 11-10 down I was looking adversity in the face but I managed to turn the tide and pull it out of the bag.
"I think it was a case of how badly you want it, and I didn't want to be going home."
Mark Selbyawaits O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals, after completing a crushing 13-5 win against Stephen Hendrythis evening.
Selby won nine of 10 frames played today but knows it could be tougher against O’Sullivan, saying: “Ronnie’s not got that many weaknesses, so it’s hard to pick some out if you were looking at any.
“Ronnie’s expectations are so high of himself that even when he does make three centuries he’s probably upset that he’s not made four.
“When I watched him play earlier on, I’d have been happy with that performance.”
Rattled Hendry had led 4-2 at one stage, and was asked if retirement was on his mind.
The 41-year-old seven-time former champion said: “Right now it is. But I’m sure I’ll be back next year.
“It’s hard to play like that, when you’re used to so much success here and used to playing well here, it’s hard to put in performances like that.”
Ali Carteralso reached the quarter-finals with a 13-11 victory over Joe Perry.
Perry won five frames in a row from 10-6 down to jump 11-10 ahead, but 2008 runner-up Carter fired in breaks of 104 and 82 to edge towards the winning line.
Carter said: “At 11-10 down I was looking adversity in the face but I managed to turn the tide and pull it out of the bag. I didn’t want to be going home.”