Ronnie O’Sullivan has been in scintillating form at the Northern Ireland Open and will be looking to reach the last 16 by seeing off Tom Ford on Thursday.

‘The Rocket’ overcame China’s Mei Xi Wen on Wednesday in Belfast to set up his showdown with Ford.

O’Sullivan claimed a 4-1 win and hit some brilliant shots, including an incredible long pot in the fifth frame, and had a break of 119.

The five-time world champion is playing in just his second ranking event of the season but has won non-ranking titles at the Shanghai Masters and Champion of Champions events.

Ford has been taken to deciding frames in both of his matches in Northern Ireland so far after he saw off Rod Lawler in the first round before edging past Chris Wakelin.

The 35-year-old is currently at a career-high 36 in the world rankings but is yet to progress beyond the third round in a ranking event this season.

O’Sullivan won 4-1 when he last faced Ford in the Welsh Open last year but the latter did manage a win over the world number three at the Snooker Shoot-Out event three years ago.

O’Sullivan is 1.17 to win or 4.00 to win 4-0, while Ford is 5.00 to cause an upset and see off the 42-year-old.