O'Sullivan takes European Open
Sunday, 16 March 2003 21:33Ronnie O'Sullivan won his first ranking tournament for 15 months when he defeated Stephen Hendry in the final of the European Open in Torquay. The 'Rocket' fired in three centuries and five half-century breaks as he beat defending champion Stephen Hendry 9-6 to claim the ¤64,000 top prize.
The average frame time for the pulsating encounter was just 10 minutes, with Hendry knocking in two tons and four breaks of at least 50 - making it one of the best finals of recent years.
O'Sullivan, whose last ranking triumph came at the UK Championship in December 2001, was delighted to get back into the groove with the Embassy World Championship just a month away.
"There could have been 10 centuries," said O'Sullivan. "It's rare to get a match where both players are near to their best and attacking the game like that. It was very tough, and I'm pleased to win. But it is history now as far as I'm concerned, because the world championship is the big one.
"I'm just glad I'm feeling like this - and if I can win one of the two tournaments before the Crucible then I'll go there full of confidence."
Filed by Johnny Proby
