Ronnie O'Sullivan made the seventh maximum break of his career at the Northern Ireland Trophy today - and set an amazing new record in the process.

The maximum came in the fifth frame of his 5-2 defeat of Ali Carter at the Waterfront Hall and is worth a £20,000 bonus plus £2,000 for the top break if it's not equalled this week.

But perhaps more remarkably, O'Sullivan made five centuries - the first time that has ever been achieved in a ranking event best-of-nine match.

Four players had previously made four centuries in a best-of-nine: Peter Ebdon, Tom Ford, Stephen Hendry and Shaun Murphy.

He warmed up with 108, 122 and 107 in taking a 3-1 lead before the magical maximum came. Carter pulled one frame back then O'Sullivan closed with a 129 total clearance to book a quarter-final place against Fergal O'Brien or Barry Hawkins.

Other results: Ebdon bt Davis 5-0; N. Robertson bt McCulloch 5-0.

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