Rocket takes world title again

8:48pm Monday 5th May 2008

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Ronnie O'Sullivan completed a memorable season by winning the 888.com World Champ-ionship crown for the third time with a comfortable 18-8 success over Ali Carter at the Crucible Theatre.

And not even a male streaker, who entered the auditorium at the start of the final session and spread-eagled himself under the match table could knock the Rocket out of his stride.

O'Sullivan was never seriously tested in a low-key affair after his memorable performance against seven-times winner Stephen Hendry in the semi-final.

O'Sullivan may have continued to court controversy as demonstrated by his lewd outburst during the recent China Open which prompted him to issue an apology.

But that will not stop the 32-year-old from viewing the 2007-08 campaign with immense satisfaction after becoming only the fourth player to complete snooker's most coveted treble.

O'Sullivan joined Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams in winning the UK Championship and the world title in addition to clinching the number one spot in the rankings in the same season.

He has become the first player to be world number one on three separate occasions having previously held the accolade in 2002-03 and then again from 2004-06.

And O'Sullivan, 32, is the first player aged over 31 to lift the world title since rank outsider Joe Johnson disposed of Steve Davis 22 years ago.