Senior World Snooker Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan cruises past Ken Doherty to reach senior quarter-finals at the Crucible
Ronnie O'Sullivan has beaten Ken Doherty 4-1 to enter the last eight of the senior World Snooker Championship; the seven-time winner will face Peter Lines in the quarter-final in Friday's evening session
Friday 8 May 2026 17:05, UK
Ronnie O’Sullivan cruised into the quarter-finals of the senior World Snooker Championship at the Crucible with a 4-1 win over Ken Doherty.
In the first meeting between two of the sport's greats at the historic venue in Sheffield, fourth seed O'Sullivan eased beyond his 56-year-old opponent to set up a last-eight clash with Peter Lines later on Friday night.
Doherty managed to avoid a whitewash after he claimed the fourth frame in front of a bumper crowd before O'Sullivan signed off with a 93-break to secure victory in the round of 16.
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After O'Sullivan exited the World Championship in the second round to John Higgins on April 27, a week-and-a-half later he was back and breaks of 42 and 56 claimed the opening frame.
O'Sullivan moved 2-0 up after he exchanged safety shots with Doherty during a tight second before a whitewash appeared on when he dominated the third.
But 'The Darlin' of Dublin' responded to reduce the deficit before O'Sullivan narrowly missed out on a century break in the final frame.
"Yeah, it was all right. I feel comfortable at the table, but snooker's not great, making some silly mistakes but I'll take feeling good and where I am at the moment to where I have been," O'Sullivan said.
The seven-time world champion will face Peter Lines in the quarter-final later tonight.
