Ronnie O'Sullivan had to dig deep to beat Mark Selby 10-8 and win the Masters title again at Wembley.
Rocket back as Masters champion after Selby scrap
Ronnie O'Sullivan had to dig deep to beat Mark Selby 10-8 and win the Masters title again at Wembley.
'The Rocket' was not at his best during the late-night final, but defending champion Selby wasted a number of chances in the latter stages as the world champion held on.
Despite trailing 7-5, the world number one hit back by winning five of the last six frames, including breaks of 110 and 55, to seal his fourth Masters title.
Selby had hit two centuries during the match, as did O'Sullivan, but despite playing some of the better snooker, the 'Jester from Leicester' could not finish of the frames when taking charge.
Right on cue
O'Sullivan, using a new cue during the week after deliberately breaking his old one in frustration, hit 68 in the opening fame before going 2-0 up.
Selby hit back with a fine 82, but O'Sullivan answered with a break of 101 to go 3-1 in front.
Three frames in a row went Selby's way, with breaks of 76 and 50, as he moved ahead for the first time at 4-3.
After going behind again, Selby produced the best run of the match as he fired in runs of 101, 89 and 114 in consecutive frames to build a 7-5 advantage.
A 110 helped O'Sullivan turn that around to lead 8-7, but a thrilling match then became level again as Selby took the 16th frame for 8-8.
Selby had his chance in the 17th, but again wasted it and O'Sullivan took advantage to take the lead once more, and he knocked in a 55 under pressure to secure his 10-8 success.
