O'Sullivan regains top spot in rankings
Ronnie O'Sullivan has regained the number one position in the official world rankings following his World Championship victory. The 'Rocket' became only the third player to lift the world trophy three times at the Crucible as he beat Ali Carter 18-8 in...
Ronnie O'Sullivan has regained the number one position in the official world rankings following his World Championship victory. The 'Rocket' became only the third player to lift the world trophy three times at the Crucible as he beat Ali Carter 18-8 in Sheffield.
O'Sullivan, 32, is the first player ever to hold the official number one ranking on three separate occasions, having previously topped the list in 2002/03 and from 2004 to 2006.
Stephen Maguire, the only player other than O'Sullivan to win two ranking titles this season, is up to a career high position of second.
Shaun Murphy stays third, while Welsh Open winner Mark Selby completes the top four.
Despite defeat, Carter is into the top eight for the first time in his career as he jumps seven places to seventh, with Ryan Day also moving into that bracket, up eight spots to eighth.
Crucible semi-finalist Joe Perry has regained a place in the top 16, as have Mark King and Grand Prix champion Marco Fu. Talented Northern Ireland cueman Mark Allen is into the elite bracket for the first time, leaping 13 places from 29th.
The four players to drop out of the top 16 are Ken Doherty (18), Mark Williams (22), Stephen Lee (26) and Steve Davis (29).
Further down the ranking list, the biggest mover is China professional Liang Wenbo, who enjoyed a giant-killing run to the quarter-finals in Sheffield and rises from 66th to number 40.