Shanghai Masters: Ronnie O’Sullivan wowed by snooker’s return to China after fourth title in a row
- World champion Luca Brecel battles all the way but cannot repeat his Crucible comeback victory over the world No 1
- As snooker re-establishes itself in China after its long Covid-related absence, O’Sullivan says the sport is ‘getting bigger’ in the country
Ronnie O’Sullivan thanked snooker fans in China after he marked the resumption of international tournaments there by winning the Shanghai Masters for a fourth successive time.
As the World Snooker Tour (WST) picked up where it had left off in the country before the pandemic, the world No 1 continued his love affair with its financial hub.
He edged world No 2 and world champion Luca Brecel 11-9 in a closely fought final late on Sunday to keep intact an unbeaten record at the event that stands at seven years.
Having claimed the last three pre-Covid crowns in the city, he has won his past 19 matches there, and has five triumphs in total, including his first in 2009.
He was willed on at the Shanghai Grand Stage by his army of Chinese fans, whose backing he acknowledged as he savoured a week that ended with him collecting the £210,000 (US$260,000) first prize.
“Wow, what a few days,” O’Sullivan tweeted. “To win my fifth Shanghai Masters is something I’m really proud of. And to have won playing such a talented player in Luca means a lot. Thank you to all the fans and everyone out here for your support, it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
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And the 28-year-old Belgian went close on Sunday after his opponent’s breaks of 143 and 120 opened up a 10-7 lead. Brecel claimed the next two frames, threatening to repeat his rally from 10-6 down to beat O’Sullivan 13-10 at the World Championship in April.
There was no repeat as he settled for the £105,000 runner-up cheque.
“He has his girlfriend here with him and they seem to be having a great time,” O’Sullivan, 47, told WST. “I wish I was at his stage of his career. He is a young man with a lot of years ahead of him.
“Snooker is getting bigger in China, so it is a good time to be a professional snooker player.”
