• Shanghai Masters

Rocket Ronnie thrashes sorry Wattana

Shaun Murphy took advantage of Dominic Dale's inability to close out the match © Getty Images

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Ronnie O'Sullivan stormed into the second round of the Shanghai Open after demolishing James Wattana 5-1, and the Englishman immediately set his sights on recording a maximum break.

The 2009 champion steamrolled Wattana, firing in breaks of 111 and 110 en route to a comprehensive victory. O'Sullivan, who missed last year's tournament, plays Nottingham's Anthony Hamilton in the next round.

O'Sullivan said: "It's nice to go into an arena where there are so many fans wanting to watch you play and I was pleased to be able to entertain. I know they want me to make a 147 and I'll be doing my best to get one here.

"It would be great to win this title again but all the best players are here so it will be difficult. If I can stop missing silly balls I'll have a chance, but it's too early to predict how far I can get."

Shaun Murphy rallied from 4-1 down to claim a 5-4 win over Dominic Dale in the first round, while defending champion Ali Carter was beaten 5-4 by Mark King.

Former world champion Murphy looked in real trouble when Dale opened up a 4-1 lead, but the Welshman was unable to get over the line.

Dale's big chance to claim victory came in the eighth frame as he knocked in an excellent green and was faced with a brown off its spot, ahead of a routine blue that would have clinched victory. However, he inexplicably failed to convert the brown and Murphy stepped in to take the frame and won a tense decider to claim victory.

The in-form Mark Allen was much too good for Ryan Day, easing to a 5-2 win, while Fergal O'Brien beat Peter Edbon 5-3.

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