Paul Hunter was crowned Masters champion for a third time in four years last night after a breathtaking final against Ronnie O'Sullivan.
The 25-year-old defeated the Rocket 10-9 at Wembley Conference Centre after a superb match in which O'Sullivan had looked home and dry.
Hunter deserved every penny of his £100,00 pay cheque for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat when O'Sullivan led 6-1, 7-2 and 9-8.
He knocked in five centuries during a sensational contest, one more than he managed against Fergal O'Brien when fighting back from 6-2 down against the Dubliner in the 2001 final.
In 2002 Hunter was 5-0 behind against Mark Williams but again stormed back to take the title 10-9.
"Ronnie played well in the afternoon and I didn't do too badly with a couple of centuries. But tonight it all clicked."
O'Sullivan tried his best to keep Hunter at bay in the near five-hour contest. But even the world number three couldn't hold back the tide.
It was a remarkable effort by Hunter who compiled breaks of 117, 102, 109, 110 and 127. He also added further runs of 82 and 58 plus a vital 36 in the final frame of the night.
O'Sullivan produced his best moments in the afternoon when he fired in runs of 56, 80, 86, 87, 84 and 79.
PA