The Masters - O'Sullivan sends home defending champion

O'Sullivan beats defending champion Ding

The opening match of this year's Masters Championship saw world number 16, Ronnie O'Sullivan beating the defending champion, Ding Junhui 6-4 for a place in the quarter-finals.
It was a thrilling match with some really cracking shots and finished in great style with a beautiful century break.

Last time O'Sullivan and Ding met was during last year Premier League final, when the one we all call "The Rocket" hammered China's Ding 7-1. This time the scoreline was a tighter one, but it went O'Sullivan's way as before.

The battle of cues started with the Essex-man flying 2-0 up with just a top break of 48, but Ding managed to pull back a frame with runs of 45 and 31 just in time. However, the interval was seeing Ronnie in the lead, 3-1 after the Englishman hit a nice and steady 76. He was in the mood for winning and taking advantage of Ding's mistakes, which in all due honesty were a lot.

Sadly for Ding, he loses the chance to keep his crown

After the break, O'Sullivan extended his lead at 4-1 by collecting no more than 62 points off the table, but then something happened. Ding happened to be more precise.

As many of you already know if you can count on a player to make a comeback in the most crucial moment ever, then that player' name is Ding Junhui. This time wasn't going to be any different.

A fluked red to the green pocket marked the beginning of a 47 break and also changed the scoreline to 4-2. Still, it was a long way to go for the little Chinese, but he didn't give up.
A series of 59, 32, 28 and 35 were enough to complete a desperate needed comeback and so, the lads were squared at 4-4.

Ronnie and Ronnie Jr.

The 9^th frame saw O'Sullivan trying his luck with a loose red but missing to pot it and leaving on another red. Ding could have put his nose in front for the first time. Sadly for him he only potted a red and missed to do the same with the brown, O'Sullivan coming back for a 51 break. A few minutes later the scoreline went 5-4 in "Rocket's" favour.

The last frame Ding didn't stand a chance to pot one single ball, O'Sullivan sealing his victory with a beautiful 125 break, the first century break of this year's Masters.

Carefully supervised by his children that were in the audience, Ronnie managed to book himself a place in the quarter-finals and prove he still enjoys playing.

Masters' first day continues from 7pm (UK time) with the second match, Mark Williams v. Stephen Maguire.