Ronnie O'Sullivan has set up a fascinating tie against his old foe Hossein Vafaei at the World Open after his comfortable win over Lyu Haotian.
The seven-time world champion got off to a strong start this week with a close win over Michael White.
That set up a second-round match against China's Lyu, who won the previous encounter between the two at last year's Wuhan Open.
O'Sullivan was far from his best with the Chinese snooker star given ample opportunities to pull off another upset.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is through to the third round of the World Open
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But Lyu was also guilty of some punishing mistakes and O'Sullivan eventually wrapped up the match 5-2.
He now progresses to the third round where he will face off against Vafaei for the first time this year.
Matches between the two have taken on extra meaning ever since Vafaei's controversial remarks following the 2022 World Snooker Championship.
The 29-year-old admitted to being a big "fan" of O'Sullivan, but felt the time was right for him to step away from the game to allow the next generation to flourish.
He said at the time: "I like him a lot, I am his fan, I love what he does but sometimes he’s disrespectful, he’s not good for the game.
"I think he should retire, to be honest with you. He should retire and then the younger generation make the game bigger.
"The pair went head-to-head a year later at the 2023 World Snooker Championships in Sheffield with O'Sullivan thrashing Vafaei 13-2 in the second round.
O'Sullivan admitted Vafaei had upset him with his remarks the year prior but was hopeful of the friendship rekindling.
vRonnie O'Sullivan and Hossein Vafaei fell out in recent years
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"All of a sudden, it just went a bit funny," he said.
"So I was baffled and I was a bit sad about it, to be honest with you, but there is not a lot you can do.
"He has his reasons. Hopefully, it is put to bed now and we can be friends and that is it."
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Ronnie O'Sullivan is preparing for the World Snooker Championships
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O'Sullivan is putting in the final touches of his preparations for the World Snooker Championships next month.
It's the first time in his career that he enters the Crucible event with the chance of winning all three Triple Crown titles in the same season.
After the World Open, O'Sullivan is set to feature in the Tour Championship in the week before the World Championship.
