GUANGZHOU, China, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ronnie O' Sullivan went through to the last 32 of the Evergrande China Championship after a 5-2 victory over Sam Baird here on Thursday.
O' Sullivan suffered a slow start in the opening frame, but a break of 124 helped "the Rocket" to pull level. He went in front in the third frame before a run of 91 gave him a 3-1 lead. O' Sullivan made it 4-1 in the fifth frame, but Baird kept himself alive with a clearance of 42. O' Sullivan stormed to win the match with a break of 100.
With breaks of 64, 85, 91 and 128, China's top potter Ding Junhui overcame Alfie Burden 5-2 to book his place in the last 32.
Judd Trump defeat Daniel Wells 5-2 to make the second round. Defending champion John Higgins was through after seeing off Chris Wakelin 5-2, while Mark Selby eased past Thailand's Noppon Saengkham 5-1 to progress to the second round.
