Ronnie O’Sullivan held off Judd Trump’s stirring comeback to win a record-equalling seventh World Snooker Championship to cement his standing as the best participant the sport has ever seen.
O’Sullivan pulled degree with Stephen Hendry’s Crucible crowns after bossing final evening’s ultimate session to win an undulating, gripping match 18-13.
The 46-year-old has dominated and transcended the game for over twenty years. This triumph provides to world titles gained in in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2020. He additionally has seven Masters titles and seven UK Championships to boot.
Snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Judd Trump to win a record-equalling seventh world title
O’Sullivan, who’s arguably the best snooker participant of all time, pulled degree with Stephen Hendry’s Crucible crowns and is the oldest individual to ever win a World Championship at 46
The 46-year-old gave Trump an enormous hug instantly after the ultimate body on the Crucible
This triumph provides to world titles gained in in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2020
Once once more, he performed down the importance of matching Hendry. ‘I’m by no means bothered about data,’ O’Sullivan advised the BBC.
‘I simply attempt to get pleasure from what I do and work onerous at my recreation. This 17 days the snooker gods had been on my aspect.’ After victory, he embraced Trump for over a minute after which hugged his youngsters Lily and Ronnie Jr.
He paid tribute to his opponent, saying: ‘As far as I’m involved this fella is already an all-time nice.
‘That’s most likely the best end result I’ve ever had towards somebody like Judd.’ Finals don’t all the time stay up to their billing. After a high-quality opening session, which featured a ruckus with the Belgian referee, O’Sullivan’s Saturday evening dominance threatened to flip this right into a walkover.
But an impressed afternoon session from Trump modified all that. He roared again from 12-5 down and headed into the ultimate session solely three frames adrift at 14-11.
O’Sullivan hugs his youngsters Lily (proper) and Ronnie Jr (left) earlier than receiving the trophy
‘I used to be joyful to make a match out of it this afternoon,’ stated Trump. ‘It was a pleasure for me to be on the market enjoying. I’m simply having fun with my snooker once more.
‘I believe I used to be improper after I stated it ought to transfer from right here – it undoubtedly ought to keep on the Crucible,’ he added.’ Wobbles and misfortune are anticipated in sport. The response to them is what issues.
After a dialog with Dr Steve Peters, O’Sullivan was again in champion mode when he returned yesterday night.
With the cue ball at his mercy, he gained the opening two frames with breaks of 82 and 88. Hawkish and harrying, referee Olivier Marteel couldn’t exchange the balls quick sufficient for his snooker mind and physique.
Trump counterpunched, snatching the following at one go to. But his choice to try a double on a purple when security was the higher choice value him pricey. O’Sullivan rattled off a 75 break and skipped into the mid-session interval a body away from historical past.
O’Sullivan capitalised upon a sequence of misses by Trump on a run of seven frames out of 9
Trump made it 13-10 at one level however O’Sullivan took the primary two night frames in his victory
Trump delayed the inevitable with a century within the thirtieth body – a record 109th for the match – however O’Sullivan ensured immortality with a break of 85.
Earlier within the day, the group within the claustrophobic area had been conflicted. They had been right here to see a contest, however most had been boisterously behind O’Sullivan.
Backstage, there have been whispers of Dennis Taylor and the best Crucible comeback of all, with the Northern Irishman beating Steve Davis in 1985 after roaring again from 8-0 down.
For that to occur, Trump wanted to win the session’s first body. After coming into to a cacophonous din, he did so for the third time of the ultimate. And it got here in model – a 107 break, his first century of the ultimate.
Energised and newly assured, Trump gained the session 6-2. It was the primary O’Sullivan had misplaced within the match.
An emotional O’Sullivan reacts after profitable his seventh world title on Monday evening
A teary-eyed O’Sullivan wipes his face as he takes in his monumental achievement
All of this was punctuated by the standard tics and twitches from O’Sullivan, who this yr has added asking the referee to clear balls and adjusting his underpants to his repertoire.
Fastidiously sweeping the desk, grimacing and chalking his cue, he’s a compelling watch on and off the desk.
Trump is altogether much less animated however no much less fascinating. The pair have been the dominant gamers on the Crucible within the final 4 years. Trump has gained 203 frames in that spell to O’Sullivan’s 172. They lead the likes of Mark Selby (166), John Higgins (147) and Mark Williams (130).
The sporting world will hope this ultimate will not be their final. With the prospect for O’Sullivan to overtake Hendry – and Trump’s willpower to win a number of titles to his 2019 triumph – don’t rule it out.