O'Sullivan, Hendry cruise into last 16 at Welsh Open Snooker
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World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan and seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry met few challenges here on Tuesday to grab a second round berth each.
O'Sullivan enjoyed a 5-1 win over former practice partner Stuart Bingham before Stephen Hendry eased past Dave Harold 5-1 in the evening session.
Bingham could hardly match O'Sullivan, only seeing the three-time world champion took the first three frames easily. Though a poor safety on the last red cost O'Sullivan frame four, the Rocket finished the match within the next two frames.
O'Sullivan, who suffered a 10-9 defeat to Mark Selby in the Wembley Masters final last week, said simply that he was "delighted" with his form and that, out of ten, he would mark Tuesday's performance as "eleven".
O'Sullivan's next opponent will be Ding Junhui or Jamie Cope as the Chinese ace and the English qualifier are set to play on Wednesday.
Hendry, 41, took four frames in a row before Harold pulled one back. Then Hendry finished wrapped up the match with a 72 in frame six.
"I played quite well so I'm pleased. Dave is a tough opponent. I always expect to play well, so I enjoy it when it happens," said Hendry who have made five appearances in Welsh Open finals and clinched the title three times.
Hendry said he couldn't wait to play Welsh cueman Ryan Day as the World number six saw off Tony Drago from Malta 5-4.
Welsh qualifiers Matthew Stevens and Dominic Dale both dragged their tough rivals into the deciding frame with Stevens knocking out off World number three Shaun Murphy while Dale edged out by World number two Stephen Maguire.
Also in the first round, Mark Allen defeated Tom Ford 5-2. Mark King beat Marcus Campbell 5-1.
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