OSullivan Wins Third World Snooker Title

Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed his third World Championship crown after completing a comprehensive 18-8 win over Ali Carter in the final.

Resuming the final session 16-8 in front, O'Sullivan wasted little time in securing the two frames he needed.

The 32-year-old started the evening's play with a 69 break and after Carter missed a chance to claw a frame back, O'Sullivan's 34 sealed the win.

O'Sullivan was always in control of the final and had led 11-5 overnight.

He joins Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams in winning both the UK Championship and the world title and clinching the number one spot in the rankings in the same season.

The victory is fine reward for O'Sullivan, who has been in scintillating form over the past two weeks.

He fired a superb 147 in his second-round win over Mark Williams and had 12 century breaks, with five of the highest 10, during a memorable tournament.

And in his semi-final against seven-time Crucible champion Stephen Hendry, O'Sullivan produced what the Scot called "snooker perfection" as he claimed a stunning 17-6 victory.

In the final, O'Sullivan only showed glimpses of the form that defeated Hendry but was never really tested by a player competing in his first ranking event final.

"I'm just happy to have won, it was tough," said O'Sullivan. "When you get ahead you are always thinking at the back of your mind, if you lose it from here it is going to be a killer.

"Sometimes it is better when it is closer, sometimes when trying to protect a lead it is hard. If you are playing well you can cruise on but I was struggling.

"I did the damage in one session in every match. I wasn't playing fantastic every session, but you don't need to be to win this. Sometimes you just have to do it in spells.

"Ali and I are disappointed not to put on a better performance but when you get to the final sometimes the balls go scrappy and when you have 1,000 people breathing down your neck it is a tough place to think straight.

"But we love the pressure and excitement at The Crucible."

O'Sullivan, who this week faces a disciplinary hearing after his comments at the recent China Open, also said that he might take a break from the game in order to recharge his batteries.

Read Final Report At The BBC