RONNIE O’SULLIVAN YESTERDAY started the World Snooker Championship as we hope he goes on.

The Rocket impressed at the Crucible, twice flirting with a maximum, on the way to a 7-2 win over Dominic Dale.

The three-time champion last week attempted to pull out of the tournament before changing his mind when asked for written confirmation by officials. He has recently endured a financial battle with his now ex-wife and has long battled depression.

But yesterday, after a nervous start, O’Sullivan delivered for the Sheffield audience – much to the relief of snooker chief Barry Hearn.

“I love the boy to death,” Hearn said. ”He’s a fabulous snooker player.

“Rather than people say to me, ‘Do you have a problem with Ronnie O’Sullivan?’, I wish I had 10 Ronnie O’Sullivans.”

A break of 113 in the eighth frame brought O’Sullivan his 100th century at the Crucible, and he threatened to make a 147 break on two occasions.

Dale will try to claw back the five-frame lead from 2.30pm today.

Watch one of those breaks from yesterday below – complete with the Eastern European John Virgo in the commentary position.