Ronnie O'Sullivan faced stubborn opposition from the world No36, Ricky Walden, as the opening session of their UK Championship second-round match ended level at 4-4 at the Barbican Centre in York yesterday.

O'Sullivan, left, the UK champion in 1993, 1997 and 2001, was required to play a rare pre-televised match because he is seeded fifth and only the top four seeds have their games held over for the TV phase.

Walden led 2-0 before O'Sullivan responded with runs of 107, 50 and 59 to draw level.

O'Sullivan edged 4-3 ahead but efforts of 44 and 58 enabled Walden to remain in touch in the best-of-17-frame match.

Steve Davis, who reached his 10th UK Championship final last year, was also held 4-4 by Glasgow's Jamie Burnett.

It was a similar story for Gerard Greene in his match against twice winner and two-time world champion Mark Williams.

Greene came from 2-0 and 4-1 down to win the last three frames.