Rocket shoots down Ding

O'Sullivan: Fine form

Premier League Results:
R O'Sullivan 6-0 D Junhui
M Selby 6-0 S Davis

Also see

• Snooker Schedule
• World Rankings
• Snooker DVDs

World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan pocketed a first Premier League win of the season in superb style with a 6-0 drubbing of Ding Junhui, while table-topper Mark Selby also whitewashed Steve Davis.

'The Rocket' went into his third match of the season with a draw and defeat behind him and strangely lying in fifth place in a table he normally dominates from start to finish.

With the additions of a glove on his left hand to protect some blisters, O'Sullivan bounced back to form in glorious style by whitewashing Chinese starlet Ding in Great Malvern.

On the few occasions Ding got his hand on the table he could muster only a 30-odd break and as soon as O'Sullivan got back on the table he punished.

A superb 126 break finished the match off aptly and O'Sullivan secured a 6-0 victory and also pocketed £8,000 for his night's work.

Chances

"I still give Ding a few chances but they didn't go in and it was a good result tonight," O'Sullivan told Sky Sports after his match.

"I've just a changed a couple of things in my set-up in a couple of shots, I'm still trying to find my feet with it but it's just brought me a bit more consistency.

"I'm still throwing in a few odd strange shots, but it is just the odd few strange shots whereas before it was eight frames of pure rubbish and now it's just three frames of rubbish and then back to some decent snooker, so I'm in there fighting.

"I don't think I'll ever get to where it's perfect, there's too much damage done over the years but if I can get to 80 or 90 percent then I'll comfortably fancy my chances of winning tournaments.

"It's the first time I've worn the glove, it felt a bit strange at the beginning but it's sorted my blisters out so I might wear it next week as well."

Masters and Welsh Open champion Selby has been on fire in the Premier League and he made it three wins out of three with his 6-0 thrashing of Davis.

Selby hit breaks of 95 and 80 when sprinting into a 5-0 lead and, like O'Sullivan, he sealed his victory with a fine century in the final frame.

Selby enhances his position at the top of the Premier League with his convincing demolition of the veteran Nugget, and he looks the man to beat this year.