Ronnie O'sullivan insists a former feud with Crucible Theatre rival Mark Williams has been replaced by friendship and respect.

The clash of the ex-world champions begins on Saturday after O'Sullivan completed a patchy 10-7 victory over China's Liang Wenbo. And the world No.1 maintains the pair have long since kissed and made up after their war of words.

O'Sullivan had suggested that not many professionals liked the Welsh left-hander. The 2000 and 2003 champion hit back: "Stupid people say stupid things." However, O'Sullivan, 34, said: "It's all water under the bridge.

"I was going through a rough time. I said things I shouldn't have done. But we get on great now.

"I texted him to say well done after he won the China Open and he asked me to do an exhibition at his club," said 'The Rocket'.

A closing break of 73 killed off Wenbo's recovery yesterday and there was no repeat of O'Sullivan's abusive hand gesture.

"You get warned about everything," he said. "You can't even fart now."