O'Sullivan equals Hendry with sixth Masters triumph

Ronnie O'Sullivan marked his return from eight months out of snooker by winning his sixth Masters title, equalling Stephen Hendry's record set in 1996.

O'Sullivan – who complained of back problems throughout the week – won 10 frames in succession in London after Barry Hawkins had taken the opener.

Breaks of 136, 77, 72 and 70 saw 40-year-old O'Sullivan race into a 7-1 lead at the interval, an advantage he never looked like losing in the second session.

A lucky ricochet on the pink saw O'Sullivan take the ninth frame, before wrapping up a 10-1 victory to claim the title.

"I'm never normally surprised when I win tournaments," he told BBC Sport. "But I am surprised I won the first coming back after 8 months. It is about producing when it matters.

"I'm over the moon. I watched Barry play Judd Trump in the semi-final and knew I needed to raise my level.

"I was able to do that and I managed my emotions well on such a big occasion. I'm delighted to have played as well as I have done."