MARK: RON STILL RULES

MARK WILLIAMS believes Ronnie O’Sullivan is still the man to beat at the upcoming World Championship despite thrashing him in the Tour championship final.

The three-time world champion downed the Rocket 10-5 in their first ranking showpiece for 24 years in Manchester on Sunday night.

Williams rattled off seven frames in a row from 5-3 down to deny the world No 1 a sixth title of the season as he landed a 26th ranking crown of his own in fine style.

But O’Sullivan is still the bookies’ favourite to clinch a record eighth Crucible crown.

Break

The Rocket is bidding to break Stephen Hendry’s longstanding record of seven world titles as well as complete the Triple Crown of the game’s majors in the same season for the first time in his career.

“Ronnie’s still the favourite, 100 per cent,” stressed new world No 6 Williams. “He’s the man to beat, without a doubt.

“As long as he can keep himself together he’s the one everyone’s got to beat.

“He’s the greatest player that’s ever lived. He played like God for four frames in the middle of the match.

“I put it to him in the evening and scored quickly. That’s what you’ve got to do against him.”

Williams beat the top three players in the world — O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and

Mark Allen — to seal a special success in front of wife Jo and sons Connor, Kian and Joel.

“You don’t normally win major tournaments when you’re touching 50,” added Williams.

“To still be doing it and competing with the best players in the world, it’s unbelievable really.

“I’ve got a chance of winning the worlds again, but I don’t know.

“If I keep playing the way I’m playing then I’ll be giving it my best shot.”

MARK 1: Mark

Williams during Sunday’s Johnstone’s Paint Tour Championship final against O’Sullivan