World Snooker 2008 - Sport
Written: 6th May, 2008
Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed his third World Championship crown after completing a comprehensive 18-8 win over Ali Carter in the final.
Resuming the final session 16-8 in front, O'Sullivan wasted little time in securing the two frames he needed.
The 32-year-old started the evening's play with a 69 break and after Carter missed a chance to claw a frame back, O'Sullivan's 34 sealed the win.
O'Sullivan was always in control of the final and had led 11-5 overnight.
He joins Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams in winning both the UK Championship and the world title and clinching the number one spot in the rankings in the same season.
The victory is fine reward for O'Sullivan, who has been in scintillating form over the past two weeks.
He fired a superb 147 in his second-round win over Mark Williams and had 12 century breaks, with five of the highest 10, during a memorable tournament.
And in his semi-final against seven-time Crucible champion Stephen Hendry, O'Sullivan produced what the Scot called "snooker perfection" as he claimed a stunning 17-6 victory.