Snooker: O'sullivan Crushed

Ronnie O'Sullivan gave way to frustration in losing 5-0 to an inspired Graeme Dott in the second round of the Malta Cup here last night.

O'Sullivan, who had beaten Dott 18-8 to win the world title last year, rashly conceded the third frame when leading 25-0 by missing a pink to a middle pocket. Dott, though, barely gave him a chance in the remainder of the match, compiling breaks of 83, 114 and 63 in an impressive display.

"It was just a bit of frustration," said O'Sullivan. "I haven't been playing well for a long time and Graeme didn't give me much of a chance."

Dott, the world No15, had lost nine of his previous 10 meetings with O'Sullivan. "I got the impression that Ronnie wasn't there tonight but I still had a job to do," he said.

Stephen Maguire's reign as champion ended with a performance he described as "embarrassing" as his fellow Scot Alan McManus beat him 5-3.

Neil Robertson, the world No68 from Melbourne, reached the quarter-finals with a 5-2 defeat of Jimmy White. Stephen Hendry beat Anthony Hamilton 5-1 and John Higgins advanced to the last eight with a 5-2 defeat of Peter Ebdon.