Monday, December 18, 2000, updated at 08:11(GMT+8)
Sports
O'Sullivan Wins China Open Snooker Crown
Ronnie O'Sullivan defeated world number one Mark Williams 9-3 to win the China Open snooker championships on Sunday, December 17.
In taking the first prize of US$75,000s, world number four O'Sullivan also became only the seventh man in history to successfully defend a world ranking title.
The 25-year-old Williams had to console himself with a cheque for 39,000 dollars and the knowledge he had further extended his already considerable gap ahead of his rivals at the top of the world rankings.
O'Sullivan's victory ended a barren run that has seen him not claim a world ranking event title since the Regal Scottish last April. It was also his 10th win in 13 career meetings with Williams.