Tour Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Neil Robertson to become world number one

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Ronnie O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan equalled Stephen Hendry's record of 36 ranking titles

Ronnie O'Sullivan became world number one for the first time since 2010 by edging a thrilling Tour Championship final against Neil Robertson.

O'Sullivan led 5-3 overnight in Llandudno but Robertson had the better of Sunday's first session to reach 8-8.

He levelled again at 10-10 but never led and an 89 saw O'Sullivan win 13-11.

"To get to number one probably playing half the events some other guys do is probably one of the best achievements across sports," said O'Sullivan.

"I've never been driven by number one as if I was I'd probably enter a few more tournaments," added O'Sullivan, who overtakes Mark Selby at the top of the world rankings.

O'Sullivan's success also sees him tie with Stephen Hendry's record of 36 ranking titles.

'The Rocket' could surpass the mark at the World Championships in Sheffield, which begin on 20 April.

"Congratulations to Neil - him and Judd Trump have been the two best this season along with myself," he added. "If one of us doesn't win the World Championship I'll be surprised."

Earlier in March, O'Sullivan became the first man to reach 1,000 career centuries when he sealed a 10-4 win over Australia's Robertson in the Players Championship final.

They both won a session 5-3 to go into the final session in Llandudno at 8-8, and O'Sullivan signalled his intent with a 129 to edge ahead.

He was on the verge of victory at 12-10 but Robertson dug out a break of 56 to prolong matters until O'Sullivan produced an 89 before saluting the a jubilant crowd.

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259 comments

  • Comment posted by martello, at 22:19 24 Mar 2019

    Take note Sports Personality Panel – time to pick the best there’s ever been instead of ignoring Ronnie year after year

  • Comment posted by Andrew Malden, at 22:31 24 Mar 2019

    He's the best ever. From the fastest 147 - something I've watched again and again - to the unbelievable safety place, positional shots, ball control, pace, ability with both hands - there has never been anyone like him. I'm glad he seems happy, and good luck to him. Always a pleasure to watch.

  • Comment posted by Ajay, at 22:21 24 Mar 2019

    Amazing achievement - back to world number 1 after 9 years. Not many have done that in any sport. Snooker & sport are better with Ronnie around, hopefully SPOTY recognition this year.

  • Comment posted by Richard, at 22:17 24 Mar 2019

    Congrats Ronnie. And very gracious in what he had to say about Robertson and Trump. Quite some achievement to reach No 1 again. He really must get a nomination for SPOTY now. Well deserved.

  • Comment posted by Nanbield, at 05:48 25 Mar 2019

    Everybody has a different opinion from a different perspective.

    I fell in love with snooker as a child.

    Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry were great players but their style was hypnotic and robotic.

    Higgins and White were my personal favourites, they were the artists back then.

    When Ronnie plays it's fluid and beautiful and captivating. Magical.

    Thank you Ronnie you're a true artist.

  • Comment posted by west ham Tony, at 22:32 24 Mar 2019

    It's great to see Ronnie beating all hearns YES players.

    Ronnie comes along to the big events without playing and wins .

    Barry you've done a great job with snooker but don't try to control the Peoples Champion.

  • Comment posted by Badboy, at 22:22 24 Mar 2019

    Ronnie has always been the best to watch and the best break builder the game has ever seen but he has now become a winning machine due to the team he has around him and by choosing which tournaments he wants to play he can give it his all and has been fresh when some other players are fatiguing. If he can win at least one more World Championship there can be no argument about who is the best ever

  • Comment posted by topoftheworldma, at 22:26 24 Mar 2019

    All you Ronnie haters

    SUCK IT UP HAHAHA..

    LONG LIVE THE KING...🚀

  • Comment posted by C-Wyndham, at 22:33 24 Mar 2019

    Ronnie is a sporting legend. He deserves far more recognition than he has received. His talent in his own sport is on par with a number of genius' across other sports; think Federer, Woods, Messi, etc.

  • Comment posted by oggyoggyoggy, at 22:21 24 Mar 2019

    The best, ever. What a season but what a tourny, that match against Trump is a true classic and the win against Robbo showed even when getting rattled, he can still do the damage. Sheer class.

  • Comment posted by mark, at 22:14 24 Mar 2019

    The best.

  • Comment posted by U16672255, at 02:53 25 Mar 2019

    95 - Tony.H. You're obviously confused: commenting about a cue-sport that you seemingly have limited knowledge. Being as you think that it is so 'easy', maybe... you should attempt to become a future world champion? Haters come in all forms; you're just another example. Congratulations to Mr O'Sullivan on such a marvelous achievement; Mr Robertson is a fantastic player - with a great temperament.

  • Comment posted by allen, at 02:54 25 Mar 2019

    There will never be another like Ronnie.......
    Best ever.

  • Comment posted by Wooster, at 23:24 24 Mar 2019

    I love listening to Ronnie. I swear he says something different every time they interview him. Sometimes he's humble, sometimes he's brash, sometimes he's plain kooky, sometimes he's Australian. This is brash Ronnie.

    Sorry Selby fans but ROS is the true world's best.

  • Comment posted by Davie, at 06:14 25 Mar 2019

    SPOTY - it's only March. Well done to Ronnie. Sad to see those comment only negativity. If you don't like snooker and/or Ronnie then don't read article or comment. Have some self-respect, or is your life that empty.

    People who think they are arbiters of what is sport, I doubt ever play it.

  • Comment posted by CJS, at 22:46 24 Mar 2019

    @22 I surmise you're a casual snooker fan then. If Ronnie had the mental fortitude of Hendry (my childhood sporting hero), or Steve Davis, or even John Higgins, he would have a considerable amount more titles. It will never deduct from his standing as the greatest snooker player to ever pick up a cue. Ronnie - the absolute greatest. No one will ever come close in my lifetime, and I'm 31.

  • Comment posted by Northfield, at 22:20 24 Mar 2019

    The level of play he carries on achieving at the age of 43 is remarkable of itself. Would love to see him win the Worlds again, though that one's a tough call, even for him.

  • Comment posted by Finkelstein, at 08:22 25 Mar 2019

    Truth is Ronnie has been the world number one for many years. If he played more tournaments. Without any doubt the most naturally gifted player the game has ever seen. HE can knock out centuries for fun and 147's are just like a party trick. On his day simply unplayable.

  • Comment posted by Vox Populi, at 00:06 25 Mar 2019

    There’s an argument that Ronnie O’Sullivan is Britain’s greatest sportsman of the past 25 years.

    The reason he is not universally regarded as such is because there is this suspicion that snooker is some indoor club/pub pastime and not a ‘real sport’.

    This is just my opinion but I think it’s more a sport and requires more technique and skill than sitting on a horse or pedalling hard on a bike

  • Comment posted by Toby, at 09:30 25 Mar 2019

    A true genius - should definitely be up for Sports personality of the year as recognition of his longevity and talent and to a lesser extent what he's done for the sport.

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