Ronnie O'Sullivan thrashed Ding Junhui 10-3 in the World Grand Prix final as he claimed the 32nd ranking title of his incredible career.
Twenty-five years after lifting his first trophy in 1993 at Preston's Guild Hall when the UK Championship was staged here, the Rocket claimed a one-sided victory in his 46th ranking final although it's testament to how dominant he still is today that he wasn't too happy with his performance.
O'Sullivan 'only' managed three century breaks - all scored in the afternoon session including a best of 134 that helped him open up a healthy 6-3 lead - which took his tally to the week to 10 while he's now managed 59 for the season (three more than second on list Judd Trump) and an astonishing 933 in his career.
That mark is 158 more than Stephen Hendry as he eyes the unprecedented milestone of 1000 although the retired Scotsman's records of 36 ranking titles and seven world championships are still ones O'Sullivan is yet to surpass.
He's now won a career best of four ranking titles in a single season while the £100,000 top prize puts him in excess of £600,000 for the campaign and he could now become the first player to go past the £1 million barrier in a single season. The world championship winners' cheque alone is £425,000.
He is favourite to win this week's Welsh Open in Cardiff (click here for draw & schedule) although Sky Bet have boosted his odds to 7/2 from 5/2.
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🙌 Ronnie O'Sullivan wins the World Grand Prix!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) February 25, 2018
💯 3 centuries in the match
🔟 for the week
😱 59 for the season (3 more than anyone else)
💥 933 in his career (158 more than anyone else)
🏆 32 ranking titles! (4 behind Hendry's world record)
👏 What a player! pic.twitter.com/DOIti982Sb
In tonight's 10-3 triumph over Ding, who has now lost four of his five ranking finals against O'Sullivan, the 42-year-old achieved a pot success percentage of 94% and scored 1045 points compared to his opponent's 364 - despite enjoying 59% of the table time.
He said: “It wasn’t the best performance, I dragged Ding down to my level. He lost his concentration and I took bits and pieces. I’m always going to score, even when I’m not at my best my cue ball control is still good."
On the 1993 title in Preston, the Rocket said: "Yes, I always believed I could dominate the table, if the form is there titles will just come. It’s great to have 25 years since my first title and hopefully this isn’t my last."
O’Sullivan is now targeting glory at the Welsh Open, which starts on Monday, but said: "It sounds weird but it might be good to lose early there, spend a week in the punditry box, do some analysis and watch the others slug it out. I’ve got my title in the bank."
Scroll down for his quotes on his Crucible hopes
🚀 Ronnie O'Sullivan really is a player for every generation.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) February 25, 2018
🗓️🏆 25 years ago he won his first ranking title and tonight he's won his 32nd. And that's on top of his seven Masters crowns!
That's four behind Stephen Hendry's world record, which is very much under threat! pic.twitter.com/hwtZ38yNmZ
On his chances of winning a sixth world title, he said: "I don’t think I’m capable of winning another world title. You need a lot of staying power there and I am too old. I can play well over a few days, but the World Championship is all about stamina and consistency which is not suited to my game at the moment. But we’ll wait and see."
Ding said: "I had chances in the first session but didn’t take them. It looks like I played rubbish. It is a always dream to play Ronnie in a final and I wanted to play well against him – it doesn’t always happen, but I tried. For the last few months I didn’t play well, but I felt good this week."
