O'sullivan did not have his best snooker to get out to a poor playing Bingham aside. Bingham won the first frame, but then made "The Rocket" with breaks of 59, 96, 134, 111 and 60 on a drafje 5-1. In the seventh frame could Bingham a rare mistake from O'sullivan with a 71 break to punish. A game later, missed Bingham with a break of 62 in the framebal. O'sullivan responded with a 66 clearance and that was just enough for a re-spotted black, which O'sullivan is still the frame and the match binnenhaalde.
"I made a few mistakes, and left him almost back in the match," realized O'sullivan. "Bingham did not play well, but even then it is important to remain focused. You may your foot never of the gas pedal. I felt today also really tired. I think I still have a dozen or so years can play, but I am suffering for seven years from insomnia. It is often difficult, but once at the snooker table, keeps the adrenaline made me wake up."
Five world champion O'sullivan is chasing an eighth title in the tournament with the world's best sixteen players. With seven titles (1995, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017) he is record holder. To a place in the semi-finals will take O'sullivan the Thursday afternoon against the Dutch boss Ryan Day (WS-13). That switched Sunday night Scotsman John Higgins (WS-4), the tournament winner in 1996 and 2006, with 6-5.
"I played here twelve finals and won only seven of. The had more. A few times I've unnecessarily handed over," said O'sullivan. "I play here close to my house, but one advantage is that you do not. I prefer playing on the move, where you somewhere, get some rest. Here I'm constantly and by everyone in the tournament faced. The pressure and expectations are huge."