Ronnie O'Sullivan is the 2012 World Champion.
This victory is one of his greatest career achievements. Ronnie struggled the last couple of years in the majors and his last BBC tournament win was the 2009 Masters. A lot of people thought he didn't have it in him anymore to win the big one. Ronnie last ranking event title before 2012 came in 2009. He slipped down the rankings, nearly out of the top 16. It looked like his star was descending and his time as a world class players was over. Someone wrote after his 2011 Masters defeat against Allen: "Not a huge threat anymore, just another player". Judd Trump looked like his successor ready to take over his reign. But Ronnie had other plans ... he didn't roll over and said that's the way of life, nothing you can do about it.
He bounced back, like only an all time great could. He was 0-4 down to Andrew Higginson and could have thrown in the towel but he didn't. He came out to fight and beat him 5-4. Ronnie reached the final and was up against an superb Maguire who looked unstoppable leading 6-3. But once again Ronnie stepped up a gear and pushed Maguire hard. Stephen cracked under the pressure and Ronnie won in epic style 9-7. Ronnie finally was a ranking event winner again.
He played very well in the Welsh Open, he finally beat Trump and placed himself in a very good spot in the World Championship draw.
Then the World Championship started. Ronnie drew the hardest available opponent, Peter Ebdon the China Open Champion. The initially good looking draw, wasn't looking that good anymore. A lot of people predicted Ronnie to fall but he didn't. Many people thought that Ebdon might get into his head but he couldn't. Ronnie never lost his cool and punished Ebdon for all his mistakes severely. In the end it wasn't even close even though it couldn't have started closer, with a respotted black. Ronnie lost in China on a respotted black, now he started his journey to the top of the world with a successful respotted black.
Mark Williams played well in the first session against him and even led 3-2. But Ronnie won 9 frames in a row playing vintage snooker. Especially one of his centuries in that match was breathtaking.
Neil Robertson was waiting. The tournament favourite, the Masters Champion. Many people thought that Ronnie's journey would again come to an end against a tough match player, especially after Robbo led 5-3 after the first day. But Ronnie came out like a World Champion and stunned Robertson who looked rattled for 6 frames. Ronnie punished him severely and his long potting was outstanding. He closed out the match calmly without missing any pressure balls.
Matthew Stevens tried to pot him off the table but he inevitably failed. Again Ronnie with a 6 frame burst that put the match to bed.
Ronnie was in the final. He nearly completed his comeback to the top of the world, only Ali Carter stood in his way. Carter played tough match player snooker and his safeties were brilliant most of the time. Ronnie needed to work very hard for his chances but he used them well and won in the end convincingly.
Ronnie O'Sullivan became World Champion, the oldest winner since Ray Reardon. His comeback was completed. He was down in the dumps in 2011 and now a year later he's sitting on the snooker throne once again.
This World Title means everything. Ronnie isn't chasing rankings anymore, it's all about winning titles and in particular World Titles. He achieved so much in his career but this title is probably his biggest win since the World title in 2001.
I never doubted that Ronnie could win it again but I knew that he would have to win soon again and 4 years after his last title it was just in time. He proved that he's one of the most consistent players of all time. 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012 that has a nice rhythm to it.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is back where he belongs and it is so pleasing to see it after what happened the last couple of years.
Ronnie O'Sullivan World Champion