Ronnie O'Sullivan earned himself an extra day off from the Embassy World Championship with a quick-fire quarter-final victory over Anthony Hamilton in Sheffield.

O'Sullivan became the first player into the last four, beating Hamilton 13-3 with a session to spare.

And he also achieved top marks for his behaviour as well as his snooker.

For the first time in this year's tournament O'Sullivan came through a match without any obscene gestures or acts that could be construed as bad sportsmanship.

Perhaps that was because he was under threat of disciplinary action from the game's governing body.

O'Sullivan was unusually circumspect in his latest press conference.

He walked out of his media briefing after beating Andy Hicks in round two.

He answered every question on this occasion but refused to be drawn on a possible semi-final showdown against arch rival Stephen Hendry or the reason for his improved behaviour.

"I love setting good examples and I will try and do my best. Sir Rodney was right, I was wrong," he said, in reference to snooker chief Sir Rodney Walker's desire for him to be a role model to the younger players.

"But I'm only human. I may make more mistakes in my life. But I'm trying to learn from my mistakes."

O'Sullivan began tonight's session with a 7-1 lead and just about gained the six further frames required to avoid returning on Wednesday morning.

In the process the world number three took his tally of centuries in the match to four and to 10 in the tournament.

World number 20 Hamilton clearly did not want to be around tomorrow and contrived to miss numerous opportunities he would normally have been expected to take.

O'Sullivan's performance was easily the best of the championship so far but he insisted: "There is always room for improvement.

"But I'm not going to be too hard on myself," added the former world champion, whose match was watched by his latest mentor Ray Reardon.

The six-time champion will be in O'Sullivan's corner until the end of the tournament. However, O'Sullivan again would not elaborate on their unlikely alliance.

"He's been there and done it and knows what it is all about. But I've got plenty of people who have shown me great support."

O'Sullivan's latest batch of centuries leaves him six short of Stephen Hendry's Sheffield record of 16. But the way he is playing that record could easily go.

He made his highest run of 131 to lead 6-0 this morning when also compiling runs of 109 and 106.

He made 121 this evening with further contributions of 72 and 62.

"I can't see anyone beating Ronnie on that form," said Hamilton after his Sheffield drubbing.

"Stephen - if he gets through - will have to play his game because Ronnie looks seriously up for the title.

"I knew as soon as it went 5-0 I had no chance of winning the match. Ronnie was playing too well.

"In the end I was just playing a few shots to entertain myself. Whether they were the right shots I don't know.

"In that first session that's as well as anyone has played against me," added Hamilton after his bid to reach his first semi-final disappeared in a flurry of pots from his opponent.