It’s impressive that Ding made a 147 break, but facing someone like O’Sullivan can be challenging.

Ding Junhui’s remarkable 147 maximum break showcased his skill, yet despite his efforts, Ronnie O’Sullivan secured a 6-3 victory in the Masters first round. Ding’s comeback from 4-0 down highlighted his resilience, but O’Sullivan’s experience prevailed in reaching his 25th Masters quarter-final. The historical context of other players achieving a 147 at the Triple Crown event adds to the significance of Ding’s accomplishment.

I’m content enough since I haven’t felt that way in a while. Because Ronnie was playing so brilliantly, I believed I could try a maximum when I saw the balls free.”

“Unbelievable 147 from Ding – I knew he’d make it from about the second or third red,” O’Sullivan continued, appearing on BBC Two as well. What a fantastic athlete. It’s fun to watch him.”

In the meanwhile, 2020 finalist Ali Carter advanced to a last-eight match on Friday against either defending champion Judd Trump or Kyren Wilson, who made it to the final in 2018. Carter overcame two-time winner Mark Williams 6-4.

O’Sullivan at ease in spite of Ding’s moment of wizardry
Standing ovations filled the crowded auditorium when Ding, who made his maiden Masters 147 as a youngster in 2007, achieved his eighth career maximum.

Furthermore, it had the fleeting potential to provide an exciting conclusion to a contest that had been noticeably one-sided up to the mid-session break.

Although O’Sullivan prevailed in a hard-fought match in the UK Championship final in December, the first four frames of this match felt more like a display, with O’Sullivan averaging just over 15 seconds each stroke.

At a place that is considered to be his home ground, the seven-time world champion and current world number one seemed relaxed as he started his bid for a record-extending eighth victory.

He did, however, also benefit greatly from mistakes made by Ding, who had chances in the opening three frames but has now lost all six of his encounters with ‘The Rocket’ at the Masters.

In the first frame, with the balls in the perfect position, a very simple positional stroke to go on the black went awry, setting the stage for the next three frames.

Despite runs from Ding of 61, 92, and 147, O’Sullivan, who also had the better of the few tactical exchanges, mercilessly took advantage of every error made by his opponent and demonstrated that he is in fine scoring form by making breaks of 67, 87, and 106 to get ahead and then scoring a 127 and a 93 to secure his victory.

On Thursday, O’Sullivan will play either Barry Hawkins or Neil Robertson in the quarterfinals.

Carter improves his form to surpass Williams.
In their four rough opening frames, neither Williams nor Carter played at their best; nevertheless, Williams’ break of 93 right after the break set the tone for the rest of the match.

Carter responded magnificently, coming back to lead with back-to-back breaks of 118 and 133 before Williams tied the score with an 86.

Carter, who advanced to the Wuhan Open final in October, won the ninth and tenth frames with two more half-centuries, leaving the Welshman to lament a number of routinely missed pots, including a black off the spot and a straight red to the bottom-left corner.

“Mark is such a great competitor, I just dug in there,” stated Carter.

“I performed quite well to be at 2-2, but I found it hard. Although there was a lot of pressure to play well, I was able to find some form in the second half.”