Murphy downs O’Sullivan to take Champions crown

SHAUN MURPHY lifted the Champion of Champions trophy last night after a 10-8 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan. The 2005 world champion was 5-4 ahead after the afternoon session at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena and went further in front by claiming the first three frames of the evening. Pre-match favourite O’Sullivan, who had lost just three frames in three matches on his way to the final, mounted a late recovery and pegged Murphy back to 9-8. But losing a tight final frame condemned the Rocket to defeat in the final for a second year in a row. ‘I thought it was going 9-9,’ Murphy admitted. ‘Ronnie is the best out there. It’s a pleasure to be out there playing him.’