Seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan coasted into the second round of the UK Championship with a 6-0 thrashing of amateur Leo Fernandez in Milton Keynes.

O’Sullivan chalked up three half-century breaks and a clearance of 121 in a near faultless display at the Marshall Arena.

Fernandez had threatened to halt the whitewash with opportunities in both the fifth and six frames.

However, the veteran Irishman could not build enough momentum and missed crucial chances when on the colours in the sixth which allowed O’Sullivan back to the table, where he soon wrapped up victory.

The Rocket, beaten in the Northern Ireland final by Judd Trump on Sunday, will next play either Alexander Ursenbacher or Nigel Bond.

O’Sullivan said he “felt sad” for Fernandez having come up against a player in such top form so early in what is snooker’s second-biggest tournament

“In the end I was just losing concentration,” the 2020 world champion said.

“I felt sad for Leo that he was struggling so much. You see it happening so much.

“I think it is more of a concern for the bottom-ranked players and maybe there is a better way to give them at least half-a-chance of making it a go on the circuit.

“At least give them a chance where they have a first-round match where they believe they can win and make a bit of money, then it becomes a job.

“I would like to hear what the feeling is. Leo would have been better playing someone near the same rank and getting a bit of table time, then playing me after.

“Maybe we can listen to them… let’s try to support them so they don’t think they are wasting their time either.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Jimmy White socked it to fellow veteran Alan McManus as he marked his 100th match in the UK Championship with victory.

The 58-year-old revealed he has run out of underwear during his stay at the on-site hotel, but it did not stop him cleaning up with a 66 break to seal a 6-4 win and a place in round two.

“Socks, underwear, shirts – I’ve run out of everything,” White admitted. “I just need to get out of here, get home and regroup before I come back for my next match.”

White, who reached the semi-finals on his first main-draw appearance in 1981 and won it in 1992, admitted he was aware of the milestone but could share few recollections of his early years in the event.

“You can forget all of the eighties, and (I remember) a tiny little bit of the nineties,” joked White.

“I heard it was my 100th match and it really spurred me on out there. To come up with that clearance at the end was really pleasing, and it gives me a lot of confidence going into my next match.”

Part of the process will see more independent player representation through the creation of WPBSA Players body.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: “I am delighted with the overwhelming support from our membership on the board’s future vision.

“These changes represent the biggest fundamental change to the structure of the WPBSA during the past 10 years and sets out the basis of our organisation to be able to service the sport, its players and the snooker community better moving forwards.”