O’Sullivan breaks UK Championship record

Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed a recordbreaking seventh UK Championship title with a 10-6 victory over Mark Allen at the York Barbican yesterday.

His triumph, which came a quarter of a century after he won his first United Kingdom crown as a 17-year-old, also saw O’Sullivan nudge ahead of Stephen Hendry with 19 ‘triple crown’ titles – comprising the World and UK Championships and the Masters.

The 43-year-old reeled off six consecutive frames to establish a four-frame advantage at the interval and despite a brief rally by his opponent he wrapped up victory with a break of 78.

It capped a tumultuous tournament for O’Sullivan, who had threatened to launch a breakaway tour then required a final-frame decider to edge past veteran Ken Doherty in round two.

But O’Sullivan was in imperious form against Allen, who was looking to add a second major title to the Masters he won in January.

The Northern Irishman took the opener then moved ahead again with a break of 74 after O’Sullivan levelled with a break of 101.

But then it was all O’Sullivan, as he reeled off six frames in succession to lead 7-2, though Allen pulled it back to 8-4 at the interval.

It was business as usual in the evening session as O’Sullivan saw out the game in style.

Ronnie O’Sullivan holds aloft the UK Championship trophy.