An unlucky break, but O'Sullivan is in good form

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Veteran Frank Adamson has his foot in plaster after driver Vic Andrews accidentally ran over it while he was loading O'Sullivan's cue and gear in the backseat of the Team O'Sullivan Mercedes.

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Now respected coach Adamson is masterminding 31-yearold O'Sullivan's challenge for a third world championship title in Sheffield from the confines of his temporary wheelchair.

With former world champion Ray Reardon no longer in his camp to offer advice, O'Sullivan relies heavily on Adamson — whose predecessor Del Hill went on to coach Graeme Dott to last year's world crown.

O'Sullivan was on his best behaviour yesterday and leads talented young Australian Neil Robertson 6-2 going into today's deciding two sessions of their intriguing secondround match. He was warned for swearing by referee Jan Verhaas during his first-round victory over Ding Junhui and last season he picked and bit the tip off his cue against Dott before giving it to a young fan.

O'Sullivan's past Crucible wobbles have included attacking a tournament official, but the unpredictable Essex player remains clear favourite with bookmakers to repeat his world title wins of 2001 and 2004.

That is despite his weak record this season against the confident player who stands between him and the quarterfinals. Robertson has beaten him twice in winning the Grand Prix and the Welsh Open.

Peter Ebdon, the rival who drove O'Sullivan to distraction and eventual defeat in the quarter-finals two years ago, found second-round opponent Mark Selby unfazed by their meeting yesterday.

The 23-year-old qualifier from Leicester rarely suffers from nerves, as he showed in beating John Higgins at the Crucible a year ago, and he matched 2002 champion Ebdon to split their eight frames.

Ebdon, who did not find veteran Nigel Bond a willing victim in the first round, had three breaks of 60 or more as he recovered from 3-1 behind to lead 4-3, but Selby's 76 was the top break of their session.

Seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry was staring at an early return to Scotland as world No 15 Ali Carter stretched his overnight lead to a formidable 9-4 in their second-round match last night.