Rocket takes commanding final lead

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN led 11-5 over Ali Carter without ever hitting top gear in the 888.com World Championship final at the Crucible Theatre last night.

O’Sullivan led 6-2 after the afternoon session of the best-of-35 frame encounter and shared the opening four frames when the players returned to the table.

It would have been asking a lot for ‘The Rocket’ to repeat his stunning form of the semi-final win over Stephen Hendry — a display his opponent described as “snooker perfection.”