Ronnie O'Sullivan launched his Welsh Open title challenge by overcoming one of the sport's most talented teenage prospects in Newport.
O'Sullivan, pre-tournament favourite for the £35,000 first prize, secured his place in the last 16 with a 5-3 victory over Judd Trump, an 18-year-old from Bristol, who captured English junior titles in a variety of age groups.
Trump is considered one of snooker's most promising youngsters but, having watched him first hand, O'Sullivan believes it is too early to make a reasoned judgement.
‘Everyone knows that Judd's a tremendous player but ultimately it's all about how many tournaments you win at the end of your career,’ said O'Sullivan.
‘He's obviously got a great talent but we'll have to wait and see how he develops in the future.’
O'Sullivan became the youngest world ranking event winner when, a week short of his 18th birthday in 1993, he captured the UK Championship title.
Stephen Hendry also won the 1987 Grand Prix as an 18-year-old while, with today's defeat, Trump is still waiting to progress past the last 32 of a ranking tournament.
The only negative in a fluent performance from O'Sullivan came in frame seven when on 48 and playing left-handed, he squandered a 147 opportunity having already potted six reds with blacks.
O'Sullivan, who has compiled eight maximums in professional competition to equal Hendry's record, looked set for a ninth until the seventh red, a mid-range effort to a top corner pocket, went astray.
O'Sullivan also constructed breaks of 66, 50, 105, 71, 48, 45 and 47 to set up a meeting with veteran Steve Davis - a repeat of the 2004 Welsh Open final, won 9-8 by the younger man having trailed 8-5.
‘I don't feel any pressure and I'm enjoying my snooker these days, which is nice,’ said O'Sullivan.
‘I'm still competitive and want to win but I probably don't want it as much as I used to. I feel I'm in a good space at the moment.’
Trump fought back from 4-1 down to 4-3 before missing a risky long red that allowed O'Sullivan in for a clinching run of 47.
Ken Doherty, desperate to extend his membership of the elite top 16 into a 16th consecutive season, battled back from 2-0 down to beat Alan McManus 5-3.
‘Alan's a really tough opponent so this is a huge relief,’ said Doherty, who scored a 9-7 victory over McManus in the 1993 Welsh Open final to become the first player from the Republic of Ireland to lift a ranking trophy.
‘He's not changed at all. He's still just as hard a competitor so I'm delighted to have ground out a result.’
Doherty, who stands a precarious 16th on the provisional world list after a series of early exits this season, now plays Mark Selby, winner of the Saga Insurance Masters last month.
Stephen Lee, Selby's victim in the final at Wembley, also booked his place in the last 16 with a 5-3 success, from 3-1 down, over Andrew Higginson, the surprise Welsh Open runner-up 12 months ago.
Stephen Hendry, winner of the inaugural Welsh Open 16 years ago, eased through with a 5-1 win over Michael Holt that revolved around a great escape in the opening frame.
Hendry stole it on the black, having required two snookers with one red still on the table, then pushed on with breaks of 75, 82 and 47.
