O’Sullivan, targeting a record eighth World title, produced a lightning-fast win over the Chinese debutant in front of Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.
The 50-year-old banged in three centuries, including one maximum attempt, to cruise into the last 16.
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“It’s still rusty Ron,” O’Sullivan told BBC Sport. “I think the tip is more important than the cue, to be honest. That’s why I brought two cues.
“I have been saving this all year because it had a bit of life in it and I thought if I come here and my main cue is no good then I’d rather have a cue I like with a good tip on because I can get used to anything pretty quickly.
“The tip wasn’t good yesterday. I did a good job considering. A bit of a roll of the dice, a gamble, I was a bit nervous because I thought I could look a bit silly but you have to back yourself.
“I make some crazy decisions in everyone else’s eyes but they make complete sense to me and it’s seemed to work over the years so I tend to listen to my own advice.”
‘The Rocket’ will take on four-time world champion Higgins next in a ‘Class of ’92’ meeting – referring to O’Sullivan, Higgins, and Mark Williams, who all turned professional in the 1992-92 season.
O’Sullivan and Higgins will meet for the seventh time at the Crucible. In five of the previous six meetings, the winner has gone on to lift the famous trophy.
“A couple of oldies,” remarked O’Sullivan on meeting the Scot next. “I was saying just hanging around this venue I feel kind of old now because everyone is 22, 23, it’s like walking into a creche but we are still hanging around and having a go.
“I am not the player I was and probably never will be but as long as I can enjoy the game.
“I am starting to enjoy it again. I am getting through the ball but still not good enough to win these events, I have to rely on a bit of luck.
“John loves playing me. I think he plays better than me than I play against him. I think in a way I will be a bit of an underdog because I’ve hardly played over the last three years compared to John. He’s probably favourite but it’s a different type of pressure.”
