Ronnie O’Sullivan knocked out despite 147 break, scoreboard confusion for Mark Selby

Updated 03/04/2018 at 22:44 GMT

Ronnie O’Sullivan sunk a brilliant 147 maximum break at the China Open, but it was a rare highlight from an otherwise ragged display as he bowed out in the first round.

Ronnie O'Sullivan of England reacts during his match against Mark Allen of Northern Ireland during The Dafabet Masters on Day Five at Alexandra Palace on January 18, 2018 in London, England.

Image credit: Getty Images

O’Sullivan’s break hinted at a revival after opponent Elliot Slessor had won the first four frames, but the five-time world champion lost his way almost immediately.

Despite the 6-2 defeat, O’Sullivan still takes home £42,000 for his fifth-frame maximum heroics.

Ronnie O’Sullivan makes brilliant 147, earns hug from referee

China Open

Selby crushes Hawkins in final to retain China Open

08/04/2018 at 18:25

Earlier, Mark Selby made a '16-red' 141 break as he progressed to the second round in confusing circumstances.

The world number one beat Scott Donaldson 6-4, but the main talking point occurred in the second frame when Selby was awarded a free ball.

The Englishman went on a scoring streak, but became concerned when he noticed he was on for a 147 maximum despite potting some blue balls – ushering over his opponent and the tournament referee to debate the scoreboard in a bizarre five-minute stoppage.

Confusion reigns as Mark Selby questions scorer about 147 attempt

However, the scoreboard was correct. Everyone had forgotten about the initial free ball which gave Selby’s break an eight-point head start, making a '16-red' 155 maximum break technically possible.

Selby spurned the chance to complete his fake 147 – and swerving any potentially awkward claims to O'Sullivan's maximum bonus – as he settled for a 141.

Selby racks up break of 141 to draw level with Donaldson

He went on to make another century, albeit less eventful, and two half-centuries to book a clash with Ben Woollaston.

China Open results

Michael Holt 6 – 4 Mark Davis
Tom Ford 6 – 2 Yuan Sijun
Luo Honghao 6 – 4 Anthony McGill
David B Gilbert 6 – 3 Mike Dunn
Ding Junhui 6 – 4 Craig Steadman
Elliot Slessor 6 - 2 Ronnie O'Sullivan
Chris Wakelin 6 – 0 Shaun Murphy
Mark King 6 – 5 Peter Ebdon
Michael White 6 – 5 Paul S Davison
Mark Selby 6 – 4 Scott Donaldson
Duane Jones 6 - 5 Liang Wenbo
Xiao Guodong 6 - 5Jimmy Robertson
Neil Robertson 6 - 3 Robbie Williams
Kyren Wilson 6 – 3 Andrew Higginson
Fergal O'Brien 6 – 5 Stephen Maguire
Yan Bingtao 6 – 5 Kurt Maflin
John Higgins 6 - 2 Martin O'Donnell
Barry Hawkins 6 – 3 Sam Baird
Graeme Dott 6 – 2 Mark Joyce
Zhou Yuelong 6 – 2 Chen Zhe

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