Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Kyren Wilson 10-9 in thrilling Champion of Champions final
Ronnie O'Sullivan edged out a devastated Kyren Wilson to clinch snooker's Champion of Champions title with a 10-9 victory.
O'Sullivan held a 6-3 lead heading into Sunday's final session after signing off with a 131 break in the afternoon, but Wilson won six of the following eight frames to move within one of completing a remarkable comeback.
Wilson then missed a red which would've put him two balls from victory in frame 18. O'Sullivan, though, could not establish position on the final red only to lay a fluke snooker after an audacious attempt at double which he later admitted had been reckless.
After Wilson left the red over the pocket, O'Sullivan cleared to force a decider which he won thanks to a century break to secure his 66th tournament win and third in the event, held at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.
"We both didn't play great," said O'Sullivan. "I'm just pleased to be competing. My main goal is to come out here and enjoy it, play with freedom.
"If I win I win, if I don't I don't. It's just a game and it's nice to still be playing.
"It's a great venue, great tournament, great crowd. If everyone's enjoyed it, then great. We want to perform and play the best we can.
"I was lucky today - that double there, I got away with it."
Wilson, who had chances in the decider before a classy 110 clearance from O'Sullivan, could only shake his head in dismay as his opponent won his second title of the season.
"It's difficult, there's a lot of pressure. I just wanted to make a fight of it," said Wilson. "It's a bit of a sickener to lose like that."
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