O’Sullivan was seldom required to reach top gear as he turned a 6-2 overnight lead into a 12-4 advantage.

Match commentator and former world champion Ken Doherty told ITV4 that it was the best session of snooker he had ever seen.

The 33-year-old’s poor form was in stark contrast to the momentum of Kyren Wilson.

The Englishman denied his 47-year-old opponent at Alexandra Palace

The 2019 champion had trailed Hawkins 5-4 in their best-of-11 last-eight encounter at Alexandra Palace