'Rocket' collects a cool £42,000 prize fund despite defeat in penultimate ranking tournament before World Championship in Sheffield
Tuesday 3 April 2018 17:44, UK
Ronnie O'Sullivan chalked up his 14th maximum 147 break - but was still knocked out in the first round of the China Open 6-2 by Elliot Slessor.
O'Sullivan, 42, produced the perfect clearance in the fifth frame to secure the £42,000 prize fund.
However, it was 23-year-old Slessor who progressed, having earlier opened up a 4-0 lead before going on to secure his place in the second round at the expense of the world No 2.
'The Rocket' later tweeted: "Thanks to all the fans in China for your support, I always enjoy coming here! Nice to get a 147 in the match #14"
There was also another unexpected result in Beijing, as Chris Wakelin coasted past Shaun Murphy, the world No 7, with a 6-0 victory.
World No 1 Mark Selby, though, had no such problems as the defending title holder saw off Scott Donaldson 6-4, having cleared 16 reds in the second frame on his way to a break of 141.
In the other evening matches, home favourite Ding Junhui - the world No 4 - beat Craig Steadman 6-4, with Australian Neil Robertson, Mark King, Xiao Guodong, Kyren Wilson and Welshman Michael White also progressing to round two.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Scotland's John Higgins, the world No 5, saw off Martin O'Donnell 6-2, while Irishman Fergal O'Brien edged out Stephen Maguire 6-5 as Barry Hawkins, Graeme Dott and China's Yan Bingtao also advanced.
The closing matches of the day saw Chinese amateur Luo Honghao pull off an upset when he beat world number 16 Anthony McGill 6-4, while Michael Holt and Tom Ford also safely moved into the second round.
The China Open is the last event ahead of the 2018 World Championship in Sheffield, which begins on April 21.
Watch the Mosconi Cup in 2018 when it returns to London's iconic Alexandra Palace, live on Sky Sports from December 4-7. Can Team Europe make it nine in a row?
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