Ronnie O’Sullivan has booked his place in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Dafabet Masters but did not feel he produced a vintage performance as he saw off Stuart Bingham 6-2.

‘The Rocket’ has been the dominant force at the Masters over recent years, winning the tournament for a record-breaking seventh time in 2017, while his form this season has been equally impressive as he has won three of the five tournaments he has entered, losing just two out of 29 matches.

The 43-year-old proved too strong for world number 12 Bingham as he recorded two centuries and four more breaks over 50 to ease his way into the last eight. However, he claimed after the match that neither he nor his opponent had been on top form.

“I felt alright in spells and I missed a few,” O’Sullivan was quoted as saying by World Snooker. “Stuart didn’t play too well. It was just one of those games where you do what you can to get over the line.”

O’Sullivan, who is chasing a 20th Triple Crown title at Alexandra Palace this week following his triumph in last month’s UK Championship, will now face Ryan Day in the quarters on Thursday.

The world number three has won five of his seven previous meetings with Day, including their most recent showdown in the 2016 Championship League, and he is priced at 1.15 to claim another triumph on Thursday, while his opponent, who beat John Higgins 6-5 in the first round, is available at 5.25.