Ronnie O'Sullivan, who made a 143 break in turning a 3-1 deficit into a 5-4 win over Alain Robidoux on Thursday, started his Welsh Open quarter-final against James Wattana with a total clearance of 144, added a 147 maximum to lead 2-1 and ran out a 5-2 winner at the Cardiff International Arena last night.
O'Sullivan's 147, which he can twin with his five minutes 20 seconds maximum at The Crucible two years ago, secured a £20,000 bonus and at least a share of the £5,000 highest break prize.
O'Sullivan realised his chance was on for a 147 as early as the first four balls of the break. "I had to knock in a good red on 48 and after that all I had to do was hold myself together. I was a bit edgy all through the game and wasn't in the comfort zone," added O'Sullivan. "A 147 is just one frame. I'd tell you when I was playing well - I wouldn't lie."
In today's semi-finals he will play Mark Williams, the title holder three years ago, who allowed Steve Davis one pot in the last two frames and won 5-4.
Northern Ireland's Joe Swail sat out a break of 111 in the opening frame, but proceeded to a 5-1 win over Stuart Bingham, who had eliminated the world number one John Higgins on Thursday. Stephen Hendry, a 5-2 winner over Anthony Hamilton, will be Swail's semi-final opponent.
