European Tour 4 - Paul Hunter Classic

Ronnie O’Sullivan pulled out some top-class snooker on his way to winning his first tournament of the 2013 season as he stormed to the Paul Hunter Classic title.

The Rocket faced an unlikely opponent in the final, in the shape of world number 55 Gerard Greene and made short work of the Rainham man, whitewashing him 4-0 in only 44 minutes. The Rocket took the opening frame before doubling his lead with a 92 break in the next. A run of 69 left Greene needing snookers in the third but he left on a red after attempting a pot and O’Sullivan finished off the frame with a break of 61. He the secured the fourth in style, hitting a break of 110 which saw him secure the £20,000 winners prize.

Greene will have been delighted to have made the final though, giving him some much needed confidence after struggling recently, as well as boosting his position in the rankings, virtually securing his tour place for next season.

He defeated Ali Carter in the semi-finals after a nail-biting final frame decider to book his spot in the Furth final. Greene appeared to be coasting at 3-0 up but Carter pulled back three on the bounce, with top runs of 75 and 64. However Greene held his nerve and nicked a close decider 47-36. O’Sullivan’s semi was also an exciting one after he squeezed past world number two and defending champion Mark Selby 4-2. After sharing the first four frames, O’Sullivan finished the stronger, compiling runs of 51 and 67.

After coming through a close last 16 match with Scotland’s Anthony McGill 4-3, O’Sullivan looked dangerous in the quarters as he whitewashed Stuart Bingham 4-0, with top runs of 82 and 85. Selby came back from 2-1 down to beat Gloucester’s Robert Milkins 4-2 in his quarter whilst Greene defeated his fellow Northern Irish tour colleague Joe Swail 4-1.

In the other quarter-final, Ali Carter was made to work hard for a spot in the last four as he battled his way past Michael White 4-3. White led 2-0 at one point, with a top run of 119 and although Carter won the next three, the young Welshman won the sixth to force a decider but Carter prevailed with a 58 break.

Notable runs in the tournament for players down the rankings included Thai Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon who reached the last 16 before losing 4-1 to Greene. India’s Aditya Mehta also reached the last 16 before losing to Selby whilst David Morris’ excellent return to the tour continues as he reached the same stage before losing to Bingham 4-1.