Welsh Open 2023: Ronnie O’Sullivan whitewashes Ben Mertens to make quarter-finals

Ronnie O’Sullivan remains on track for a record-equalling fifth Welsh Open title following a 4-0 whitewash victory over Ben Mertens to reach the quarter-finals.

With a new tip now in place, O’Sullivan hit two breaks of 55 and a break of 68 to seal a far more comfortable win than when he needed a deciding frame to beat Mertens in the English Open in December.

O’Sullivan will meet fellow Tian Pengfei for a place in the semi-final on Friday.

A half century put O’Sullivan in control of the opening frame, and a missed red to left corner from a nervy Mertens allowed the Rocket to finish the job.

Mertens – in his first year on the pro tour – had stunned Jackson Page and David Gilbert to make it this far but, certainly in the opening frames, he appeared overawed by the man he calls his hero, simply committing too many mistakes as O’Sullivan moved two frames clear.

Clearly struggling with the occasion, the 18-year-old had an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the third frame as O’Sullivan’s break ended at 55, only to pot the white after knocking in the pink. This time O’Sullivan would put the frame to bed to extend his lead to 3-0.

When these two met back in December, Mertens won three of the last four frames to force a decider, however, the fans in attendance at Llandudno were never likely to be treated to such a close finish.

Another poor shot from the young Belgian left O’Sullivan with a simple pot and a final break of 68 wrapped up the match in under an hour.

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