Ronnie wins in Shanghai

For the world number one it was sweet revenge for his defeat at this stage of last season's tournament, where he was beaten 10-8 by qualifier Ricky Walden. This year he was posed with a significantly less arduous task.

O'Sullivan started very quickly at the Grand Stage and his efficient display in the morning session ensured that he held a three-frame lead at 6-3 going into the afternoon.

Liang moved into 13th place in the provisional world rankings as a result of his run at the tournament and the 22-year-old again impressed with his resilience as the Englishman surged to victory.

O'Sullivan stamped his authority on proceedings with a break of 70 to take the opening frame with consummate ease, before he edged out Liang in a cagey second.

Scoring consistently in the 70s, the Englishman afforded his opponent no opportunity to establish himself until the fourth frame when a gritty 67 reduced the early deficit.

Liang, who had the overwhelming support of the crowd after his inspired performance in the semi-final to dispose of Shaun Murphy, battled valiantly to stay in the match with O'Sullivan in fine fettle.

The Rocket's unflinching approach saw him regain his three-frame cushion with an imperious break of 87 after the mid-session interval and re-establish his authority. The 33-year-old potted 10 reds with blacks but lost postion on the next red after the crowd had begun to sense something special.

The 22-year-old from Heilongjiang Province was undeterred by O'Sullivan's break and compiled a classy 81 of his own to seize back the initiative, but he did not hold it for long.

The world number one ended the first session in commanding fashion with a break of 75 to usurp Liang once more and leave him well set for yet another title.

A century break from O'Sullivan shattered his opponent's hopes of making an early statement of intent in the afternoon session, but Liang responded immediately to peg the Englishman back once more.

But Liang could not sustain his intensity and when he suffered an aberration in the 13th frame with a horrendous mis-cue on the penultimate red, he realised that the match had effectively slipped away from him.

O'Sullivan was left to canter to victory with breaks of 56, 69 and 71 to seal yet another title and further consolidate his place at the top of the world rankings.