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Ronnie O'Sullivan dedicates record 7th Masters title to Paul Hunter

Snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan created history as he sealed a record seventh Masters title with a 10-7 triumph against Joe Perry at Alexandra Palace.

O'Sullivan's victory took him past Stephen Hendry's tally of six Masters trophies as the 41-year-old fought back from 4-1 down to retain the crown that he won in emphatic fashion last year against Barry Hawkins.

He dedicated his record-breaking win to the late Paul Hunter, the popular player whose was praised for his community work and died from cancer at the age of 27 in 2006. World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn announced last year that the Masters trophy would be renamed after the three-time winner.

O'Sullivan told BBC Two: "I won the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany and that meant so much to me, but a player of Paul's stature and what he did for the game, especially this tournament -- he deserves to have his name on this tournament.

"He will never be forgotten, all the players loved him. You are there in our hearts and minds and we all love you."

Of his own achievement, O'Sullivan said: "It's great to get some records and there is still the World Championships to get so I will try to get that one off him [Hendry] as well. But when I was young, I was happy to have won one so to have won seven so there must be someone up there looking after me.

"I am not greedy, I appreciate every opportunity I get to come and play in front of these fantastic people so I am happy to be here."

Perry's performance in his first Masters final appearance had him targeting more tournament finals.

"I proved a lot," he said. "I've proven that there's still a bit of life left in me and it's giving me a lot of belief to go on and keep plugging away to try and win a big one.

"I got him on a good day really, he didn't really get into full flow today and I lost my way at 4-1, got a bit carried away with myself and lost it a little bit.

"I had my chances so fair play to Ronnie, even when he's not at his best he is still brilliant."

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