Ronnie Again

Ronnie O`Sullivan wins the Welsh Open after a 9-3 against Ding Junhui (the new World No. 2) with an unbelievable 147 in the last frame.

Ronnie wins the Welsh Open for the third time

Both players wasn't at their very best in the afternoon session, but Ding was very disappointed with his many mistakes, and Ronnie, who scored very well and had a safety game ok, made top breaks of 91, 70 and 92 to make a 7(17)1 lead in the end of the session.

In the second session, Ding looked more calm and produced his best to make back-to-back centuries at the start of session, but he was still 7(17)3 behind.

Ding also had a half-chance in the 11th frame, but Ronnie made a 49 break to put himself one frame away for the title.

Ronnie made of the 12th frame, the last frame, and shows why he is the best of the world, making his 12th break maximum, potting the last black left-handed.

Now, he is on top of the players who most did maximums in the history, ahead of Stephen Hendry, who did 11 ones.

After the match, Ronnie said:

"I wasn't really going for it. I was trying to score as many points as I could to get over the line. It wasn't until I got to 48 and the balls broke lovely that I thought it was on, but I was more concerned with winning the frame. I was still playing shots to win the frame until I got to 72, then I thought I can get the maximum. The fans deserve it - they have supported this tournament brilliantly over the years. In front of a crowd like this it is a great experience. It's a nice record, to have 12 maximums. I suppose a little bit of me wanted to take one of Hendry's records.
I played a really good match, he missed a few shots early on. I pounced in the first few frames and was scoring heavily. After that I lost my concentration a bit and was losing position, but I won a lot of the close frames which was important. Anyone that comes back at you, especially of Ding's quality, you have to take it seriously. I have learnt how to cope with my emotions and knew I had to keep calm. I hadn't done a lot wrong so I couldn't be too hard on myself.
I am happy I have won and have had a good week. It is just about getting the CV looking as nice as you possibly can. The enjoyment is in the doing so I am glad the tournament is over now. I am trying to get the balance with enjoying home life and snooker."

The runner-up Ding said:

"I know I wasn't in my best form and had a lot of mistakes today. Ronnie punished me straight away when I missed easy shots and he was scoring very heavily. I never thought that the game was finished and kept trying. At 7-3 I had a chance but I didn't take it. It was great to play Ronnie in the final. He can make a 147 any time he wants. I thought it was possible from the first black. I just like people enjoying the game. People love to watch Ronnie play - he is fast and attacking.
I have made five finals this season and I had never done that before so it has been very good. It doesn't matter if I won or lost. I hope I can get more experience for the next tournament and keep winning to get back my form. I hope I can win more ranking titles."

Ding reached to his 5th Ranking Event's final of the season

For Ding, this was another great event, playing his best, and now he moves for the second place at the world rankings.

But Ding showed in the first session, signs of nervous and was feeling the pressure.

For me, he is far away to be a complete player, and a world champion, because his defensive game is very slow, and his mental still is his big problem.

He don't need to be less aggressive, but his defensive game just don't exist, and he isn't a great player under pressure.

I think/believe/hope he will be a world champion but he need to change his game a lot (like Ronnie did to became a world champion).

Ronnie conceded just 10 frames in 7 matches

For Ronnie this also was another great event.

He wins it with a maximum and never was in risk to lost matches. There is no doubts he is the best and is hot favorite to be champion of the world next months.

He is playing the best that the sport have ever seen, and is winning top players very easily.

He also beats a confident John Higgins 5-1 and it shows that he is more consistent and don't have players who can frustrate him and beat him when he is playing like that.

Ronnie played 6 events (PHC, International Championship, Champion of Champions, UK Championship, The Masters and The Welsh Open) where he really goes at his best and wanted to win, and he won 4 of them. He also won all his last 11 matches, never being in risk to lose.

I loved this event (full results here) and I am pleased that Ronnie wins it.

It was also a good sign for the young Joel Walker who reached to the quarter finals.

This tournament was a success because of many things, principally that all the top players played here, and showed their best forms, and I am already looking forward for the next year.

Thanks to read!