Ronnie O’Sullivan racks up record 38th ranking title with victory in Coventry
O’Sullivan’s victory also represented the 28th consecutive season in which he has won a ranking crown.
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O’Sullivan’s victory – after he reeled off four frames in succession to wipe out at 7-5 lead – also represented the 28th consecutive season in which he has won a ranking crown.
Afterwards, with more coronavirus restrictions rumoured to be approaching, O’Sullivan joked to the packed crowd: “It’s a bit like Downing Street in here – mass spreading.”
The 46-year-old O’Sullivan claims he no longer cares about titles but his pleasure at ending a run of five straight final defeats and winning his first title since his 2020 World Championship was evident.
He added on ITV4: “Neil should have been ahead in the afternoon by a long way but he gave me a chance then I just found something for four frames, which I’ve done pretty much most of the tournament.
“I’ve won so much that I’ve got to start to enjoy the occasion and if I don’t give 100 per cent all the time I’ve earned that right. OK, I’ve won tonight but losses aren’t that bad either. I just want to enjoy life.”
O’Sullivan was never in front in a patchy opening session, but avoided falling two behind in the eighth frame after claiming the two snookers required to level at 4-4.
Rhythm remained in short supply for both players when they resumed in the evening before Robertson produced a break of 128 on his way to opening up a 7-5 lead.
The Australian desperate to end the year on a high after crashing out of last month’s UK Championship to amateur John Astley, had always looked the most likely to get to the winning line.
I've won so much that I've got to start to enjoy the occasion and if I don't give 100% all the time I've earned that right. OK, I've won tonight but losses aren't that bad either
But the task of retrieving the deficit seemed to spark O’Sullivan into life, and breaks of 90 plus two of 77 in the next four frames turned the game on its head and moved him one frame from victory at 9-7.
Then it was Robertson’s turn to rise to the challenge, responding with a break of 78, keeping his own hopes of clinching a 22nd career ranking title alive.
But a miscue in the next from the Australian let O’Sullivan in with a break of 77 to snap his run of final losses and complete what had at times appeared to be an improbable final win.