Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Shaun Murphy 10-5 in final
O'Sullivan equals Steve Davis' record of six UK titles
Made two centuries in three frames & won five frames in a row
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
O'Sullivan makes a break of 62 and holds a 32-point lead, with 43 still on the table. A lot of work for Shaun Murphy to do with only two reds on the table.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion at the York Barbican
It's a match of such high quality. If you miss one ball, that's it - you're sitting in your chair for the rest of the frame.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
Ken Doherty
1997 world champion at the York Barbican
Ronnie is taking a little bit more time than usual. He knows the importance of this frame, going into the mid-session interval.
O'Sullivan is up to a break of 46, 46-30 ahead.
Will this catch on? Let's hope so.
You can just imagine the conversation.
"What happened?"
"I hit the windmill and went in off."
Enjoy some crazy snooker, courtesy of Steve Davis and John Parrot.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
It might be nice for Dennis to watch, but it is not too nice for Shaun Murphy, he tries to slow-roll the cue on to the red over the bottom left pocket, but leaves it on for O'Sullivan, who now has a chance for 3-1.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion at the York Barbican
It’s nice to relax and watch a little bit of tactical safety play!
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
A routine day so far for referee Paul Collier, with both players on their best behaviour. Murphy now holds a 30-0 lead in the fourth frame, but facing a safety exchange with the cue ball near the baulk cushion.
Image source, .Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
Fellow referee Jan Verhaas has found shots of referee Paul Collier from those three finals that Sham just talked about.
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Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at The York Barbican
Both the players have won the 'Triple Crown' of World, UK and Masters titles. Today, referee Paul Collier joins them.
The Welshman took charge of Ronnie O'Sullivan's 2004 World Championship triumph against Graeme Dott at the Crucible, becoming the youngest official of snooker's showpiece at the age of 33.
The Masters came a year later and 13 years on he completes the big three at the UK Championship.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
Frame four, the last one before a mini-interval, and Murphy rattles in 20 and then gets another chance for a decent break. Will the first four frames be shared?
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
Sim: WOW. Simply awesome snooker. O'Sullivan responds with a century. Interesting both went in off in frames.
Wayne Fegan: Privilege to watch this UK Championship final, best two players on the planet by a mile.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
John Parrott
1991 world champion at the York Barbican
It is a wonderful standard. I don't think, with the way Shaun Murphy has started this match, he would be 2-1 down against anyone else.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy
Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion at the York Barbican
Absolutely amazing. It is an absolute pleasure to sit and watch this.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Shaun Murphy (108-9, O'Sullivan break of 103)
The fans are certainly getting value for money today. Three frames done and dusted in just over half an hour. Let's hope this carries on.
Two century breaks and another one of 62. The second century of the match is a 103 from Ronnie O'Sullivan, the 914th century break in an incredible career.
Remember, the winner today is the first to 10.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-1 Shaun Murphy
Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion at the York Barbican
The way these two players are playing, a little bit of bad fortune will make a vast difference. Both players are capable of punishing a bit of bad luck.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-1 Shaun Murphy
Into frame three, and a focused O'Sullivan looks in position to do some damage. This is what he is facing.
Image source, .Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at The York Barbican
All week O'Sullivan has been in the media room before his matches, very relaxed, grabbing a bite to eat.
In fact, he was sat next to me before his second-round win over Michael Georgiou, reading the papers and talking to us about a story regarding Neymar possibly moving to Real Madrid.
Imagine Lionel Messi doing that before a Champions League game.
Today, though, there was no sign of O'Sullivan. Must have been on the practice table back stage. 100% focus.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-1 Shaun Murphy
These are the stats that matter from the two players in question. Highest breaks of 132 and 135 for O'Sullivan and Murphy so far respectively in this competition.
Will we be seeing anything better so far? Both players have shown good form already today.
Image source, .And here is that opening-frame century that Sham is talking about. Enjoy.
Murphy hits century on way to winning first frame
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at The York Barbican
In the quarter-finals, Shaun Murphy and Mark King were not too pleased with the watching public. Murphy said a few had been "enjoying York's festive hospitality", so let's hope they behave.
Plenty wearing Christmas jumpers and hats, but they may need to take them off as that opening frame from Murphy has certainly heated things up. "Statement of intent," said one journalist. Absolutely!