Ronnie O'Sullivan's debut in the Championship League brought him mixed fortunes today with two wins and two losses on day one of the event. Ronnie opened up well coming back from 2-1 behind against Mark Selby to win 3-2 thanks to a 138 total clearance and a 91 to finish off the match.
He then saw off Marco Fu with three breaks over 70 to complete a 3-0 win but then was on the end of a 3-0 drubbing by Aussie Neil Robertson with Neil knocking in breaks of 135 and 110. He then finished off his day with a 3-1 defeat to Ali Carter which will leave him with all to do tomorrow to stay in the top 4 for the semi final spot.
John Higgins had a similar day with two wins and two defeats and indeed at this stage it is very close with no one really standing out as a clear favourite in this round. Even Mark Selby has given himself a chance as he bounced back from two defeats to produce some superb snooker to beat Ali Carter 3-0 with breaks of 122 and 131 in the first two frames.
The standard is so high that the points have all more or less been shared today and it will be up to the last few matches tomorrow to sort out the table before the semi finals are decided.
Allister Carter 3-1 John Higgins
84(40)-17, 76(33)-38, 26-71(44), 71(71)-4
Mark Selby 1-3 Judd Trump
0-90(90), 16-110(110), 84(84)-8, 29-79(78)
Neil Robertson 0-3 Marco Fu
49-64, 23-73(41), 0-91(91)
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-2 Mark Selby
53(35)-65(48), 17-76(61), 80-41(35), 146(138)-4, 91(91)-0
John Higgins 3-2 Neil Robertson
32-106(74), 78(78)-36, 83(71)-0, 8-80(80), 135(85)-9
Judd Trump 3-0 Allister Carter
66-57, 101(101)-0, 70(56)-47
Marco Fu 0-3 Ronnie O'Sullivan
0-87(87), 43-86(79), 0-79(79)
Mark Selby 3-0 Allister Carter
122(122)-6, 131(131)-0, 47-25
Judd Trump 1-3 John Higgins
0-80(46,34), 1-84(84), 66(46)-49, 17-78(78)
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-3 Neil Robertson
21-70, 0-135(135), 0-110(110)
Allister Carter 3-1 Ronnie O'Sullivan
77-46, 66-0, 67(67)-68(41), 57-40(40)
Marco Fu 3-1 John Higgins
3-66(34), 104(104)-27, 108(77)-0, 69(61)-16
