snooker log.

Well done, Ronnie!

BBC SPORT | Superb Rocket beats Ding in final:

Ronnie O’Sullivan knocked in four century breaks as he beat Ding Junhui 10-3 to win his third Masters title in front of a raucous Wembley Arena crowd.
O’Sullivan lost the first two frames to the 19-year-old Chinese star but roared back to lead 5-3 at the interval.

The unstoppable Rocket raced through the next four frames to move 9-3 ahead, prompting Ding to offer his hand in resignation before leaving the arena.

… O’Sullivan put his arm around a visibly distraught Ding just before the players walked off for the first interval of the session after the teenager offered his hand.

Sweet!

BBC SPORT | Other Sport… | Snooker | O’Sullivan claims White whitewash

Ronnie O’Sullivan overwhelmed Jimmy White 7-0 to win his third consecutive Premier League title at the Wythenshawe Forum on Sunday.

World number three O’Sullivan compiled breaks of 122, 93, 73 and 113.

The comprehensive win saw O’Sullivan become the first player since Steve Davis in 1989 to win the league title on three straight occasions.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | Snooker | O’Sullivan will return - Reardon

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | Snooker | O’Sullivan races to another title:

O’Sullivan was delighted with his victory and heaped praise on the groundbreaking competition, which introduced a unique 25 second shot-clock.

“This has been my favourite tournament of the year. The World Snooker Association could learn something from the way it’s been run,” said O’Sullivan.

“There have been no slow frames with people falling asleep.”

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | Memorable shots: O’Sullivan’s plant

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan wraps up victory:

Ronnie O’Sullivan won his second world title after wasting little time in the final session to roar to a convincing 18-8 win over Graeme Dott.

The Rocket put himself within just two frames of victory after winning seven of the eight frames in the afternoon.

Hooray!

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | Title joy for O’Sullivan

Ronnie’s up 12-8 at the mid-session interval!

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | Live: O’Sullivan v Dott

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan edges ahead

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan starts favourite:

Graeme Dott admits he will start as a huge underdog when he takes on Ronnie O’Sullivan in Sunday’s World Championship final at The Crucible.

Dott has never won a major title and is the rank outsider after starting the tournament at odds of 200-1.

The Scot edged past Matthew Stevens 17-15 in the semis, while 2001 champion O’Sullivan crushed Stephen Hendry 17-4.

“How do you stop a machine?” said Dott. “How many frames did Hendry win against him? What chance have I got?

“The semi-final was basically my final. I’ll try my hardest but what’s the worst thing that can happen? I lose 18-0 and get £125,000 and I’m back in the top 16.”

…

O’Sullivan courted controversy in the early rounds but he looked more focused than ever in beating Hendry.

The Englishman was in breathtaking form on Friday when he took seven of eight frames in the second session against Hendry, and he is not about to underestimate his final opponent.

“Graeme’s a tenacious player,” said O’ Sullivan.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan races into final

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan stuns Hendry

Ronnie shares his snooker tips!

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan surges ahead

Argh! Stuck at work while O’Sullivan plays Hendry!

At least the BBC will hook me up: BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | Live: O’Sullivan v Hendry.

Thank goodness for Firefox’s “Reload Every” extension!

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | Hendry ready for O’Sullivan

BBC Sport Academy | Other Sport | The speed kings of the baize

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | Rocket soars towards record

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan crushes Hamilton:

Ronnie O’Sullivan turned in a magical performance as he became the first player to reach the semi-finals with a 13-3 demolition of Anthony Hamilton.

The Rocket left his opponent trailing in his wake as he rattled in four centuries on his way to victory.

Hamilton was always likely to be facing mission impossible after ending the morning session 7-1 adrift.

He managed to win two of the evening frames, but O’Sullivan sealed the match in the 16th with a session to spare.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan takes charge

I know something’s been lost in translation.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | Crucible diary - day ten:

Chirpy, smiley, full of beans - these are just some of the words which do not describe first-time quarter-finalist David Gray.

…

Ironically, in contrast, beaten Lee Walker was chirpy, smiley and full of beans.

“I’m going to lose some weight and go to the gym for a month and a half,” he beamed after the match - surely a pledge to wipe the smile off the face of the biggest optimist.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | Crucible diary - day four:

Barry Pinches, the man who ended Jimmy White’s Crucible dreams for another year, made an early bid for fashion statement of the tournament with his fetching green and yellow-backed waistcoat.

Pinches had good reason for his departure from conventional snooker apparel of waistcoat, maybe with a hint of tartan, emblazoned as obviously as possibly with a sponsor’s logo.

Firstly, he has no sponsor. And secondly he is a proud Norwich City supporter.

And that’s just about the only acceptable excuse for wearing a green and yellow waistcoat in public.

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Have I mentioned that Ronnie O’Sullivan is my absolute favorite snooker player? (He’s Merrystar’s, too.)

Well, he is. Snooker’s always exciting when he’s playing.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport | World Snooker | O’Sullivan courts trouble:

Ronnie O’Sullivan said he was not worried about snooker’s authorities censuring him after he made a gesture during his win over Stephen Maguire.

The tournament favourite raised a finger to a pocket after missing a difficult pot during his 10-6 success.

“So what? Frustration’s good. It shows how passionate I am about the game,” he told BBC Radio Five Live.

“I’m here to win the tournament. If they want to fine me, they can, I’ve got plenty of money, so I’ll pay.”

Oh! Snooker season’s almost over - that means the Crucible!