Shanghai Masters: Ronnie O’Sullivan wowed by snooker’s return to China after fourth title in a row
- World champion Luca Brecel battles all the way but cannot repeat his Crucible comeback victory over the world No 1
- As snooker re-establishes itself in China after its long Covid-related absence, O’Sullivan says the sport is ‘getting bigger’ in the country
![Ronnie O’Sullivan lifts the Shanghai Masters trophy for a fifth time. Photo: Twitter/@ronnieo147](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2023/09/18/7a1b2234-8aee-44a8-ae6c-08f114511c9e_e39a87ed.jpg?itok=K1ucPkop&v=1695031353)
Ronnie O’Sullivan thanked snooker fans in China after he marked the resumption of international tournaments there by winning the Shanghai Masters for a fourth successive time.
As the World Snooker Tour (WST) picked up where it had left off in the country before the pandemic, the world No 1 continued his love affair with its financial hub.
He edged world No 2 and world champion Luca Brecel 11-9 in a closely fought final late on Sunday to keep intact an unbeaten record at the event that stands at seven years.
Having claimed the last three pre-Covid crowns in the city, he has won his past 19 matches there, and has five triumphs in total, including his first in 2009.
![Luca Brecel (left) and Ronnie O’Sullivan chat after Sunday’s final in Shanghai. Photo: Twitter/@ronnieo147 Luca Brecel (left) and Ronnie O’Sullivan chat after Sunday’s final in Shanghai. Photo: Twitter/@ronnieo147](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2023/09/18/e015edbc-dd6f-4e91-a8d7-f0d090f9b6d6_b39087ee.jpg)
He was willed on at the Shanghai Grand Stage by his army of Chinese fans, whose backing he acknowledged as he savoured a week that ended with him collecting the £210,000 (US$260,000) first prize.
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