Masters 2015: Ronnie O'Sullivan breaks Stephen Hendry's record

  • Published
Media caption,

Masters 2015: Ronnie O'Sullivan breaks century record

Masters 2015

Dates: 11-18 January. Venue: Alexandra Palace. Coverage: Live on BBC TV and online.

Ronnie O'Sullivan scored his 776th career century to break Stephen Hendry's all-time record.

The 39-year-old made 101 in the first frame of his 6-1 quarter-final win against Marco Fu at the Masters.

The win was the defending champion's 43rd at the Masters, breaking another record held by Hendry.

"I was a bit nervous because I knew everyone was thinking about it. It was nice to get it out of the way early," O'Sullivan told BBC Sport.

"There was still a match to play [after breaking the record] so I thought everyone needed to calm down."

Analysis from BBC commentator Steve Davis

"Ronnie is such a fantastic break-builder and he plays break-building differently to a lot of players these days.

"There was a shot early on in that first frame where he was on the blue and perfect to smash into the balls.

"But he didn't risk potting the blue and going into the pack, saw a better opportunity and went for the brown. Most would risk going into the pack."

'The Rocket' looked on course to extend his centuries record in the second frame, but missed a brown when on 51 and Fu pinched it on the black to level.

Hong Kong's Fu, 37, had a chance in the third but failed to capitalise, as O'Sullivan made 67 and took the fourth frame on the black to lead 3-1 at the interval.

Further breaks of 85 and 66 extended O'Sullivan's advantage to 5-1, before he took the seventh to progress to the semi-final.

"Now I am playing decent, I enjoy it a bit more," he said. "The older I am, it feels like I have only been a professional for four years.

"To have a positive outlook on it, I feel I can can deal with the ups and downs, I love it. I can handle my emotions more."

Find out how O'Sullivan racked up the centuries record

Around the BBC

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.