ROCKET FUELLED

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN is out to “silence the voices” inside his head as he tries to claim a record eighth World Championship.

- by SHANE MacDERMOTT

The Rocket, 49, opened up a 6-2 overnight advantage over Chinese qualifier Pang Junxu in their second-round showdown at The Crucible.

O'Sullivan returned to the sport on the biggest stage after a three-month hiatus due to bouts of self doubt.

But he knocked in six breaks over 50 as he continued his charge towards history in the first session of this best-of-25-frames clash.