Ronnie O'Sullivan - fine start to the season

CHAMPIONS CUP

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Ronnie O'Sullivan was on top of the world in Brighton on Sunday after capturing snooker's first major title of the season with a memorable comeback win over world number one Mark Williams.

O'Sullivan lifted the Champions Cup and pocketed a £100,000 prize after beating world champion Williams 7-5.

The 24-year-old Essex professional, who also picked up a £5,000 high break prize for his 140 clearance against Jimmy White in the group stages, had trailed 4-1.

It was a fairytale win for O'Sullivan whose participation in the tournament had been in doubt over the summer after spending time in the Priory Clinic suffering from depression.

"I've been a nightmare to be with," said the world number four from Chigwell, now planning a trip to Paris with girlfriend Bianca.

"So, this victory is for everyone who has stuck by me in the last couple of months and the last couple of years.

"I've been dealt a second hand and I'm grateful for that. But, I'm not going to get too carried away.

"I've beaten a lot of the top players here and it's taken a lot out of me. I need to chill out.

"Mentally, over the past few years it's been a bit too much for me. From now on if I can be happy in my life and play well at the same time, that will be a bonus.

"This win is going to be a platform for the rest of the season. As for the world championship, it's not top of my priorities at the moment, but getting my life in order is."

O'Sullivan certainly appears to have the beating of Williams.

He's won eight of their 11 meetings including a 9-1 victory when they last met in a major final at the Scottish Open last April.

Williams, unbeaten in his first four matches, looked capable of redressing the balance when he shrugged off a debilitating stomach bug to capture four of the first five frames.

He did so with breaks of 67, 77, 54, 51 and 78 before O'Sullivan launched a comeback in typical fashion.

He won the next two frames making breaks of 51, 78 and 95 without Williams potting a ball.

The eighth was a scrappier affair but O'Sullivan won that one as well plus the ninth when he recovered from 45-0 down.

Williams obtained parity at 5-5, missed a red with the rest in frame 11 leading 27-0 and lost it to a break of 77 before O'Sullivan wrapped up proceedings with a quick-fire 91.

"I hardly slept on Saturday night because I was so ill," revealed Williams.

"I knew I had to get to the loo pretty quickly at the interval.

"But I'm not making excuses. I just lost to the better player.

"I'm disappointed not to have won but this week has been a good stepping stone for the rest of the season," added Williams who collected a £35,000 consolation prize.

"I was still enjoying it when I was 4-1 down because I hadn't done much wrong," added O'Sullivan who will aim for another win at next month's for the British Open - the first ranking tournament of the season.