Stephen Hendry doesn't feel anybody is capable of stopping Ronnie O'Sullivan from winning a record eighth World Championship title after Jackson Page was defeated 10-1 by the 'Rocket'.
O'Sullivan was straight to business in the first session of his match against 22-year-old Page on Wednesday.
He wrapped up the first six frames in his usual swashbuckling manner before Page showed what he was capable with an impressive 142 break.
That proved to be the only real moment for Page as O'Sullivan completed his resounding win on Thursday afternoon.
Stephen Hendry doesn't think anyone can beat Ronnie O'Sullivan
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A bullish O'Sullivan admitted after the match that he felt capable of challenging for world titles into his 50s if he carried on the way he has been going.
For now, O'Sullivan's focus is fully on this year's World Championships which has already seen a number of top seeds drop out.
Defending champion Luca Brecel lost on the opening weekend while Mark Selby, Mark Williams, Anda Zhang, Ali Carter and Ding Junhui have also been knocked out in the first round.
O'Sullivan will face another Welshman Ryan Day in the next round, who won his first match at the Crucible in 10 years with his first-round victory over Barry Hawkins.
Hendry clearly doesn't think the 32-year-old will cause O'Sullivan any problems and wonders if anybody else will either.
"He always beats who he’s supposed to beat when he’s supposed to beat them, better than anyone that’s ever played the game," Hendry said on the BBC.
"If you were there today with Ronnie 8-1 up, you could book lunch for 2 o’clock because you know he’s going to beat Jackson by 2 o’clock. It’s incredible.
"He gets to the winning line with not one bit of hesitation.
"It’s something you can’t teach, you either have that or you don’t, just to be able to dominate your opponents.
Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Jackson Page 10-1
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"I tend to think this could be a procession, this World Championship, I really do.
"I think he looks like he’s on it, the draw’s opening up, a lot of players gone.
"Two players who beat him this year – Mark Williams, Zhang Anda – both out already.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan is bidding to win an eight world title
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"Judd [Trump] possibly in the semi-final who hasn’t beaten him since 2020. This could be a procession.
"And Hendry currently sees no reason for O'Sullivan to walk away from the sport any time soon.
"He’s as fit as anyone that’s in the game," said Hendry.
"He doesn’t play every tournament, I can see him playing till 55 if he wants to."
