World Championship favourite Ronnie OSullivan trails amateur James Cahill

Tournament favourite Ronnie OSullivan trails amateur James Cahill 5-4 after an uncharacteristically shaky opening session in their first-round World Championship match.

Cahill, who made history as the first amateur to play at the Crucible, showed no signs of early nerves as he took the opening frame to go 1-0 up.

World number one OSullivan hit back with a break of 51 to level, before moving into a 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3 lead.

But debutant Cahill took advantage of a number of sloppy errors from OSullivan to level at 4-4, before pinching the final frame for a shock lead at the interval.

The Rocket has a fight on his hands@ronnieo147 is being given a run for his money by amateur star @JamesCahill147 at the Crucible pic.twitter.com/883LPSjkjZ

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 22, 2019

Cahill won three qualifying rounds just to make the World Championships and said before the match: I dont mind playing him. I dont mind playing anyone. I know its the toughest draw.

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Ive played him three times before. Ive played well against him in the past, but have obviously never played him here.

Ive beaten Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Ding Junhui and Shaun Murphy in the past… Ive proved I can beat good players.

Four-time champion John Higgins, meanwhile, progressed to the second round after beating Mark David 10-7.

Three centuries and five breaks over 60 secure John Higgins' place in the second round of the

METRO

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