Champion of Champions Final

Image: Monique Limbos

Ronnie O’Sullivan secured the inaugural Champion of Champions title after an enthralling 10-8 victory over Stuart Bingham in Sunday’s final at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The World Champion was push all the way by Premier League champion Bingham but in the end had that little bit extra to tie up the match.

Bingham started the final in style, knocking in a 109 break to claim the opening frame although runs of 66 and 55 saw O’Sullivan win the next two. But after winning frame four on the final black, Bingham was on the ascendancy and struck breaks of 72 and 52 to go 4-2 ahead. Ronnie responded with a run of 76 but Bingham restored the two-frame cushion with another break of 109. But O’Sullivan would’ve been the happier at coming out of the first session at just 5-4 down, with the final’s biggest break of 130 in frame nine.

And the Rocket fired into the lead by taking the first two frames of the evening session, including a 93 break in frame 10. But the pendulum swung again in Bingham’s favour as he claimed the next two frames which went down to the colours, to lead 7-6 at the interval.

Ronnie then seized back the initiative, going 8-7 up thanks to runs of 62 and 96 but a 66 from Bingham squared the scored at eight a piece. But O’Sullivan swooped to win the next two to secure the title and the £100,000 winner’s prize.