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Ronnie O’Sullivan makes history but admits lack of ‘buzz’

The world number one beat Ding Junhui 10-7 in the final in York.

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN repelled the determined challenge of Ding Junhui to become the oldest winner of the UK Snooker Championship in York, 30 years after he claimed his first title at the tournament at the age of 17.

O’Sullivan, who turns 48 on Tuesday, triumphed 10-7 after a heavyweight battle with his Chinese opponent, sealing a record-extending eighth UK crown with an exhibition-style finish of 129 amid raucous scenes at the Barbican.

Hauled back from 4-1 and 7-5 leads by Ding, who like O’Sullivan won his first UK title as a teenager in 2005, the world number one dug deep when it mattered and consecutive breaks of 100 and 74 set him up for his final flourish.

But amid the inevitable uproar, O’Sullivan cut a somewhat underwhelmed figure, admitting his latest win lacked the “buzz” of some of his earlier successes, and said he had even found himself struggling for motivation as the opening session loomed.

“I’m not sitting here with a massive grin and super-excited,” said O’Sullivan. “I just go through the motions a lot of the time.

“It’s great to win and I give my best when I’m out there and I want to win, but it’s not the same excitement as years ago when I was winning my first world and UK and Masters titles, and you’re buzzing.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a nice feeling and a job well done, but I get more of a buzz from going for a run in the morning or having breakfast with my mate.

“I don’t actually feel like ever playing. Once you get down there you think you’re glad you’ve done it, but even in this match today I was thinking I didn’t feel like it, I’d rather sit on my bed and watch a bit of Netflix. I feel like that a lot of the time.”

It was an admirable effort from the Chinese player, who had clambered off his sick bed to sink defending champion Mark Allen on the opening day having seriously considered withdrawing from the tournament.

But ultimately O’Sullivan, who had seldom been required to find his best form during his journey through the tournament, had just enough to leave Ding contemplating a second consecutive final defeat.

Ding had clawed back to level at 4-4 at the end of an absorbing opening session, after a series of costly errors gifted O’Sullivan the early advantage.

Three times the 36-year-old blew early frame-winning opportunities to fall 3-0 then 4-1 behind before belatedly stirring to reel off three frames in a row including breaks of 114 and 70.

O’Sullivan wasted no time in re-establishing his lead in the first frame of the evening with a break of 84, but there was a hint of impatience in the next when he opted not to play on despite trailing by 51 and only requiring one snooker.

Ding appeared intent on pressing home his advantage but was punished for taking on some risky long shots in the next two frames, O’Sullivan edging ahead again with breaks of 40 and 87, then emerging from a scrappy spell in the next to reach the interval 7-5 in front.

A hard-earned 58 from Ding brought him back within one frame before a magnificent 104, his second century of the final, pulled him level again.

Anything Ding could do, O’Sullivan could do too, and the momentum swung back in the direction of the world champion in the next frame when he responded with a century of his own, a 100, his first of the final.

A brilliant pink from O’Sullivan set him up to move one frame from victory with a break of 74, and he completed his win in his own irresistible fashion with his second three-figure finish.

Ding, who was also beaten in last year’s final by Allen, reflected: “The first half was disappointing because I had a chance to win more frames but 4-4 wasn’t too bad because I was 4-1 down. I came back to 7-7 but he played so well.

“All I could do was play good safety and make breaks. He just pushed me to make mistakes and it’s all I can do – I can’t do anything else out there.”

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 7:44 PM

    What would Calderon know ? . He said Zidane had rejected the offer last week ! Absolute chancer !

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    Zidane was blessed to have Ronaldo while manager. 99% of game’s were won by him alone over that 3 year success. Zidane won’t know how to rebuild that team to same nights. He needs to sort the Courtouis and wife issue first. Very messy and and unsightly affair all together. Zidane is a legend, Madrid are a toxic club.

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: yawn … see you May 2020 ya mouth !

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    Mute Stephen Lyons
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:33 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: Watch out for the parasite Limon

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:40 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: surely you can get a room before then

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 9:18 PM

    @David Weston: surely you’ll find a better one liner by then

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 12th 2019, 9:38 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: for you pair ?Nah that one is about right

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:04 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: Point proven Ronaldo drags Juve into last 8, just like last 3 year’s with Real, don’t know what the other guy is chomping at the bit for, parasite ??

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:31 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: no ones denying Ronaldos effect . But your clinging to Courtois’ love life is tenuous . Maybe Liverpool should sign Ronaldo ..

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:52 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: just wondering when you’ll change your identity , when Liverpool win … or when they lose … either way you’ll be someone else by next month

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 13th 2019, 8:29 AM

    @Limón Madrugada: Lemon seriously would you Kop on you imbecile

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    Mute Drew Walsh
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:09 PM

    100% spot on to not bring him. Legendary manager but think his time at the top is over the game has passed him by IMO. Be interesting to see him try and win a world cup with Portugal.

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:54 PM

    @Drew Walsh: Mourinho is a great manager for a tournament . But I think it’s not just a coincidence that why I try to type his name my spellcheck insists on correcting to ‘ mourning’

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    Mute Johnny O Flaherty
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    Would’ve been fun to see him there again

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    Mute Martin Brennan
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:05 PM

    Who’d want to manage a guy like Ramos who cost his own team by cheating

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:11 PM

    @Martin Brennan: you do mean Sergio Ramos who has 4CL , 3 or 4 ligas , two euros , 1 World Cup 3 world club championships a couple of Copa del Reys ?? Nah he’s a loser

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    Mute Getard Lanslanger
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:36 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: a drug cheating loser

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:49 PM

    @Getard Lanslanger: who happens to have loads of medals and no history of drugs , unlike for example Pep Guardiola …

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    Mute Stanley Baggins
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    Mar 13th 2019, 12:24 AM

    Jose won’t get a massive job like that again. A talented manager but one who’s ego outgrew the talent, and ended up becoming an insufferable bore

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