O'Sullivan records second successive whitewash - 23/10/2008

RONNIE O'Sullivan recorded his second successive whitewash win in the Premier League but still described his performance as 'below average'.

Ronnie O'Sullivan recorded a comfortable 6-0 win over Steve Davis at Plymouth Pavilions

O'Sullivan crushed Steve Davis 6-0 at the Plymouth Pavilions but O'Sullivan, who moved up to second in the table, was disappointed with his own play.

"The scoreline was flattering as Steve had chances in three or four frames and never took them.

"He was struggling with his game but I wasn't much better and there were a few errors that were really below average and that needs to pick up.

"But my scoring and safety is keeping me involved and keeping me in it. Once I get other parts of my game sorted then hopefully I will be able to win on one visit.

"You want to win every game you play and I love coming to Plymouth as the crowd are fantastic and you just want to keep punching away.

"Steve is a snooker legend. Probably (Stephen) Hendry is the greatest then Ray Reardon and Steve Davis. He's forgotten more than what we all know so you can never question what's in his mind."

This was a must-win match for Davis after beginning his campaign with two successive defeats and only winning two frames in the process. The third loss in three matches means he must now win his last three to stand any chance of making the top four.

O'Sullivan broke off in the opener left-handed and scored 24 before missing a doubled attempt into the side pocket.

But it did not matter as breaks of 32 and 46 were enough to take him into the early lead.

Davis adopted his unusual two-cushion break in the second and had a great opportunity when O'Sullivan went in-off after accidentally clipping the blue.

Davis, who had reached the quarter-finals of the last two ranking events, could only manage 24 and, with the balls well spread out, O'Sullivan compiled a 60 break on his way to a 2-0 lead.

A run of 52 from O'Sullivan moved him to a 3-0 lead before scores of 39 and 62 in the fourth meant Davis was doomed to defeat.

It was a desperately disappointing evening for Davis after a recent good run of form and a number of errors in the fifth soon made the score 5-0 in O'Sullivan's favour.

The sixth saw a change of tactics from Davis as he ditched his two-cushion break and adopted an orthadox one instead. But it backfired as he left a red on and 45, quickly followed by another 48, completed the misery.

Davis's highest break had only been 16, he had failed to win any money and then faced a long drive back to Luton Airport before heading off to play in a tournament in Poland.

Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-0 Steve Davis
103-7 (O'Sullivan 32, 46), 97-25 (O'Sullivan 60, 37), 71-38 (O'Sullivan 52), 113-0 (O'Sullivan 39, 62), 63-22 (O'Sullivan 36), 93-0 (O'Sullivan 45, 48)