O'Sullivan keeps cool to dominate Vafaei after controversial break-off

Tensions ahead of the meeting at the Crucible Theatre were high after Vafaei launched a scathing criticism of O'Sullivan, in which he accused the seven-time world champion for disrespecting him by using the break-off during a German Masters qualifying match in 2021.

In retaliation, Vafaei chose to give O'Sullivan a taste of his own medicine by smashing the cue ball into the reds from the break-off in the second frame.

Former world champion Steve Davis branded the move "disrespectful to the game of snooker" and it served Vafaei little benefit as O'Sullivan went on to stamp his authority on the contest.

'The Rocket' opened up a 2-0 lead after the break-off before Vafaei put his first frame on the board to half the deficit.

From then on, it was a masterclass from O'Sullivan as he reeled off four consecutive frames to widen the score to 6-1.

Vafaei did manage to hand himself a potential route back into things by taking the final frame, although a quarter-final berth is in O'Sullivan's control with the match resuming on Saturday.