Sunday 21 February 2016

O'Sullivan Wins Welsh Open


Ronnie O'Sullivan won seven frames in a row to beat Neil Robertson 9-5 and win his fourth Welsh Open title.

Australia's Robertson, 34, had won the first two frames of the best-of-17 final and extended his lead to 5-2 during the first session in Cardiff.

But 40-year-old O'Sullivan moved to 5-3 before the break before he won the next six frames to clinch the win.

The five-time world champion sealed victory with a break of 141 to move level with John Higgins on four titles.

Englishman O'Sullivan had caused controversy earlier in the week when he turned down the opportunity of a 147 break, making 146 instead, and spoke about his boredom at tournaments.

But he said he had a "fantastic week" in Cardiff and would now be resting before the World Championships in April.

"I feel shattered," O'Sullivan, who also won last month's Masters, told BBC Sport.

"I need a month of just relaxing, recharge the batteries and give Sheffield a good push, that is the one that everyone wants.

"I am not eligible for any other tournaments as I did not qualify, so my cue will be chilling out for a month or so."

The 2007 champion Robertson, who was described by O'Sullivan as "the best player in the world", pinpointed the ninth frame as the key moment in the match.

"Once he got his tail up and the momentum it was hard to wrestle it back from him," said the world number three.

"Everyone knows he is a terrific front runner and he pulled away and finished the match off in style.

"I made mistakes and that is what happens when you are put under pressure. The few frame spell when he went from 5-3 to 6-5 up, I had opportunities but that is where he got away and played terrific stuff."


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