Rocket stunned after Williams powers to win
MARK Williams battled back from behind to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final of the Tour Championship in Manchester.
The Welsh snooker legend won seven straight frames to inflict a 10-5 defeat on the world number one.
It saw Williams walk away with the £150,000 prize and instilled him with confidence heading into the World Championships, which begin later this month.
O’Sullivan had recovered from a 3-1 deficit to end the afternoon session with a 5-3 lead, having scored four centuries.
But the tide turned completely when the players returned in the evening as O’Sullivan struggled to find any rhythm and Williams took almost every opportunity that came his way.
Williams levelled the match at 5-5 with a break of 104, then made consecutive breaks of 99 and 112 to go 8-5 up and O’Sullivan could not find a way to halt the momentum, despite mistakes from both players in what proved to be the decider.
The three-time world champion said: “I never thought I’d be winning tournaments at 49.
“It’s not bad for a part-timer. The World Championships are around the corner. He’s the man to beat, but you never know. I’ll try my best.
“He played like God for four frames and I was glad the interval came because there was no stopping him.
“He played unbelievably well and sometimes you’ve got to hold your hands up, but tonight I took it to him and played really well.
“He didn’t play as well tonight but I think that is because I put some pressure on him and he started to miss towards the end.
“I could see him getting frustrated and he missed a few he’d normally never miss but I’m over the moon with that.”
O’Sullivan, who will head to the Crucible as favourite for an eighth world crown, said: “I think he’s been the best player, the most consistent player, over the last five years.
“He rarely plays a poor match and the way he’s played this week and tonight, he’s an amazing player. He’s so talented and I think he’s better now than he’s ever been. I tried to give it everything. I did it this afternoon to stay in the match but he’s so consistent, so strong, if you don’t consistently play toplevel snooker he’ll eat you alive.”