Ronnie O’Sullivan was inches away from defeat but rode his luck in a thrilling encounter to win 4-3 against Jamie O’Neil.

Ronnie fought back from two frames down to grab his ticket into the next round of the English Open. The World No.2 could find only nine points on the opening two frames and struggled for form against an O’Neil who was ready to pull off a surprise win.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, who was overwhelmed by the oft-imperious rhythm of O’Neil, soon hit back with breaks of 90 and 102 to level the game. However, O’Neil soon re-established his lead with a break of 59.

O’Neil once more took the initiative and looked like he was headed for the winner and a straight ticket to the second round, but he made a panic foul, knocking the red ball with his cue.

Consequently, the sixth frame was gifted to the English Open favourite, who just required one more visit to the table to send O’Neill packing.

It is arguably O’Sullivan’s experience which won the World Number 2 to the game, seeing out the deciding set with a break of 81.

Prior to his face-off with Sullivan, he has been in top form in recent months. He would be willing to leave memories of his first-round exit at the World Championship behind him and live up to the English Open ‘favourite’ he has worn around his neck.

He was involved in 11 tournaments last season, winning five of them, with his victory at the Shanghai masters taking his win rate to six from his last 12 events.

The Rocket is determined to get the prize and has now ousted a motivated and determined O’Neill on his way to the ultimate prize.

The 43-year-old’s progress should stand out as a subtle reminder that he could still see many more years as a professional. O’Sullivan, who has played as a professional for the last 27 years, said he could still play for the next 15 years as a top professional.

The five-time World Champion is favourite to lift the trophy at Crawley and promises always to turn up and live up to the tag as long as he is one of the players fancied to win.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is pegged at 3.70 to win the 2019 English Open, while closest rival Judd Trump is set at 5.00.

Written by: Roland Arum