Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Stephen Maguire | Tactical Frame 16 | 2012 German Masters Final

This time it's not such a good break from Ronnie O'Sullivan. He's left his red on to the right corner. And it's just a matter of whether he plays for the black or plays it back up for the blue. He may have to play it with a touch of left hand side if he plays for the blue. It's for the black. He's missed it thin and he's fortunate to have got away with that. Yes, good speed on the cue ball. Excellent safety, just the paint on the red there. Well, caught it a little thick again but he's got away with it. Just landing up to the two reds by the black spot. This looks pretty good. Good shot. Couldn't have played that one any better either. Both players playing some very good safety. I think he played the plant there. Sent one red on to the others. Just caught it a little too thick. What a clearance that was in that last round Joe, that 82 when he was right under the cosh. Yes, caught that one a little thick but no real damage done. There is a red to the left corner. Yes, I feel that that was the right shot although it's been a little unfortunate to catch the blue full in the face. He's got a good safety here to get in behind the green. Caught it a little thick again. Good speed. Not a ball potted in this 16th frame as yet. It's been going about 10 minutes now. Very fortunate, very fortunate. Not going in that corner pocket was one. He could be in trouble here. I'm not sure if he's left a red on to the right corner. Surely he's had a look to see. Yes, the red doesn't go. Maybe another one there that goes out. And in it goes. And he's on the green. There's a red up in the balk area. That was very careless of Stephen Maguire. He'd fought so hard with the safety. He's played for the pink. But if he's on the black, that's a bonus. For a moment, he considered playing for the black using the other red, especially when he can play on open reds. Nicely played on to the black. The black will go on the yellow spot. It's not going to be easy to win frame and match. He's only got the pink at the moment. Whatever he says, does still love snooker when he's motivated for it, as he has been here. And he's back to the wall with his world ranking position. But he's come out fighting. He needs to fight a little more. He didn't want to be straight on the pink. May have to take the green now. Play the cannon to the blue. Just a couple of inches harder. He was in prime position. Even an inch. Nicely played. Well, he flew to Berlin on a private jet with the artist Damien Hirst. Is he going to be flying home the champion? It's looking more and more likely the longer he stays at the table. Yes, this is the last easy red that he's playing for now. After that, he needs to do something. He's a little strong. Well, that could have worked out well for him because he might just be able to flick off those two reds in playing back up for the pink here. And that's what he did. Unfortunately, he's not on anything. He's developed them. A little thicker and he would have been on the pink. Needs to miss the yellow. Well, it's safer there than what it was a moment ago. And he's got the Chinese snooker on the blue. If he catches these thick, he could be able to frame a match. He couldn't have played that much better and he still left it on. His long potting has been very good this week. Got very close to that. Hasn't left the red on. Looks like he's left an easy snooker. How close was that? If he can play that cue ball cannon to the yellow, that would be a good safety. Doesn't want that in. Well, that's the same thing. The only problem with that shot is that the pink's still safe. He's brought the yellow off the cushion a little. But he could find himself in behind that yellow. Oh, he's played the pot. So very nearly went in. Good pot. And he's on the black. He's not finished yet, Steve McGuire. Don't know what red he can play for. Unless he can play for that red into the middle. Left middle. So close. Trying to develop the reds. And was so close. Another terrific pot. And he's a bit unlucky again. Cannon on the brown. Could have expected him to have been on the colour. Oh, he's got a kick. But he's still got the snooker. Well, Steve McGuire could not have given this tournament any more than he has done. And he's still in there fighting. He's 36 behind. He's got a Sullivan snooker on these reds. What an effort from the Scot. Yeah, great effort from both of them, isn't it? Now the black doesn't go. So not sure if this is worthwhile taking on. There's no colour for it. A big target. Green, brown and blue. Yeah, you can't beat a great snooker match where both players are giving everything. Fighting for every shot. And that's what they've both done. It's one of those kind of matches where it doesn't deserve to be a loser, but somebody's got to lose. One thing the pair of them are absolutely guaranteed is when we come back next year, this place will be packed out again. Just as Mark Selby and Mark Williams last year did the sport proud in the final they contested. Now it's a game backwards. Just a little thin. This final began with four straight centuries. It's developed into a really tense tussle here at the Tempadrome. A mistake from Ronnie O'Sullivan. Not sure what he was playing there. Hitting that side of the red. Oh, he's blocked the pocket with the red. So unfortunate. He's brought the red out into play. He's on the pink into the middle. And then the red comes up and blocks the pocket. He's hampered on the black. And the red is blocking the green going into the boat corner. How unfortunate. Well, this game is hard enough and it doesn't get any easier, does it? This is all or nothing. Difficult queuing. There's a red over the boat corner. Has to get it. Great shot. No, he's not going to go enough. I don't think he can pop this. He deserves to. What a great bottle again. Steve McGuire and Sean. It is. And that's a good kiss for a change. Yes, he's just concerned he's kissing the green with the cue ball when he pops the blue. And that'll do nicely. He's 22 points behind. But right now, his favorite. He's not flinching. He's not twitching. He's remaining strong. I didn't want this straight. And I think he's left it straight. He's going to have to play this with some power now. Well, that's a let off for Ronnie O'Sullivan. The brown to the red was the careless one. If he'd have left himself a nice little angle, he could have just rolled the red in, finished on the black. So more drama. He's just looked at the posse angle on the red there. Surely he's not going to be going for this. He did. Now, where's it going to finish? It's a chance. Second prize. He holds his hand up. Doesn't like to win like this. He's not smiling. Where's it going to finish? Well, the crowd sensing that this is the chance O'Sullivan has been looking for to kill it off. 17 points the difference. If he takes the pink and the yellow, Maguire will need snookers. If he plays for the brown, he'll need the green. He's played for the pink. His brain is very clear. Yes, the yellow puts him 26 ahead, 25 on. Ronnie O'Sullivan, who was 4-0 down, remember, in the first round to Andrew Higginson. The obituaries were being written then, but this is effectively for the title. Well, it's only one snooker, David, and he's done it before, Maguire. He'd like to see this one disappear. Well, we know he's certainly going to go for it, Maguire, if he gets a chance, and he has got a chance. One snooker needed. Why didn't he just roll that one in? By playing it at speed like he did. Well, can't agree with potting the green, I'm afraid. One less ball to snooker behind now. Does he think he can win? Steve Maguire, 7. Well, it's a snooker, and the middle pocket could just be in the way. He may have to play this with a lot of right-hand side and swerve. Where's that cue ball going? Oh, believable. He can win now. Well, he can't really legislate for that. He hit the blue. He's gone in off. Incredible. Well, he's got second prize. He hasn't left the blue on. If he had have left the blue on, he would have been in a decider. Not a good safety. Well, it is a good safety, but had a chance of the snooker there. They don't come much finer than that. This sort of quality of performance would be amazing. He's played this well. It's close. That's all it was. Close. Well, people are shouting, come on, Stephen, but what a difficult shot this is. And it's just as hard to get safe. The double kiss is on. Where's it going to go? Well, it's not an easy pot this, but it's one for the championship. Well, everyone's got to just settle down. Once again, O'Sullivan frame a match ball. And there's the clenched fist. Well, Ronnie O'Sullivan came here fighting for his top 16 place, but a world ranking is just a number. This man is a snooker legend and he has won his 23rd world ranking title after a real battle in Berlin. 4-0 down in the first round. He looked dead and buried. Well, look at him now. He's the champion. Ronnie O'Sullivan after a dramatic fight beat Stephen Maguire 9-7.