Ronnie O’Sullivan plays down expectations despite Masters rout

17/1/16 Ronnie O’Sullivan in action during the fi …

The world No.6’s triumph was all the more remarkable given this was his first major tournament since taking a eight-month sabbatical from snooker.

O’Sullivan, now reaching his 11th final after his win here on Saturday, will fight against Barry Hawkins on Sunday for the title and 200,000 pounds top prize, and match Stephen Hendry’s six Masters crowns, reports Xinhua.

“It’s up there with my best-ever performances and that’s got to be the best I’ve played on the big stage, certainly in terms of break-building”.

“I’m never normally surprised when I win tournaments but I am surprised after I had eight months out”.

Both Trump and Robertson, who won last year’s UK Championship and took the Masters title in 2012, then won a frame each to set up a decider.

“I relaxed into the game and in spells I played all right”.

His journey began with a 6-3 victory over Joe Perry, before a 6-2 victory over Mark Allen sent him to the semi-finals where he produced a surprise result in beating Judd Trump 6-4.

“Stuart didn’t really have to do anything special – he just had to pick me off. I was making too many mistakes and you can’t afford to do that at this level”.

“SDLq I am over the moon with the performance”.

An incredibly high-quality encounter featured six century breaks – a record – and it was the Englishman who booked a semi-final with Barry Hawkins on Saturday afternoon.

The 40-year-old added: “I’m not in pain but my alignment is so out that I have no touch or feel”.

“I wish he would retire, to be fair!” he said of his conqueror.

“I felt so good against Judd [Trump] in the semi-final and I was hoping to feel the same out there but I just didn’t get going at all”.

Resuming at 7-1 up, O’Sullivan won a scrappy opening frame with a fluke on the pink that would have made any club player blush, then won two quick frames with breaks of 66 and 82.

A missed red from O’Sullivan in the 10th did not prevent him from returning to the table and building a 66 break on the back of a tremendous long pot.