Magical Ronnie O'Sullivan coasts to English Open title with flawless performance

O'Sullivan needed just three more frames heading into the evening session after producing a spectacular exhibition of snooker to lead Wilson 6-2 after Sunday's afternoon session in Barnsley.

And the game's greatest player made light work of finishing matters off in the evening session as he carried on where he left off with breaks of 50, 127 and 132 more than enough to win his 29th ranking title, the Steve Davis trophy and a cheque for £70,000.

In as near to perfection as you will see on a snooker table, O'Sullivan missed only six balls in 11 frames of snooker as Wilson - who rises from 15th to 12th in the world rankings - was forced to sit and admire what it takes the reach the summit of the sport.

At the age of 41, O'Sullivan is hitting the ball better than ever with some devastating potting and breaks the hallmark of true class.

O'Sullivan draws level with John Higgins as the second most prolific ranking event winner of all time, seven adrift of the retired Stephen Hendry's 36 which could yet be a target to chase if he maintains this form.

“It is great to win another ranking title. I am my own worst critic at times but it was very, very good today," said O'Sullivan. “I made a lot of good and important breaks, and felt good among the balls. I will keep driving myself on to reach a higher level.

O'Sullivan has been disrupted by a fan running on during a match on Thursday and has been forced to play in trainers due to an ankle injury, but he has also been playing at the very peak of his powers as he claimed his first ranking event title since the Welsh Open in February 2016.

The five-times world champion was simply unplayable at times as he enjoyed a pot success of 98 percent in simply overwhelming his younger opponent.

O'Sullivan made breaks of 115, 54, 131, 77, 87 and 96 with 15th seed Wilson, 25, contributing fine breaks of 74 in the second frame and 109 in the fifth to close to 3-2 behind before sitting it out as his the game's biggest draw won three straight frames to take a grip of the final.

WIlson had the chance to move 2-1 clear, but jawed the final black after stunning pots on the blue and pink as O'Sullivan returned to slot the black in a frame he almost blew having built a commanding lead only to miss an easy red.

After that, it was the Chigwell man who assumed control with a performance that belies the belief snooker players lose their edge after 40.