Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed victory in week 4 of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Ali Carter in the final to go top of the table.
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The final was won in controversial fashion however, as Carter's three failed attempts to make contact with a red handed O'Sullivan the victory.
Despite a number of reds available to hit, Carter opted to play a thin shot for safety and missed for a third time following a warning from the referee.
It was Carter who took the opening frame with both players slow out of the traps.
The rocket levelled at 1-1 and then produced a fine 68 run to edge into the lead in the following frame.
O'Sullivan had only registered 42 points at the telling moment in frame four but the misses signalled the end of the game.
Three time world champion O'Sullivan had made light work of Matthew Stevens earlier to reach the final, taking just 40 minutes to defeat the Welshman, with a top break of 92.
Carter, making his first appearance in this year's event, took advantage of an out of sorts Ding Junhui, going through with a 3-0 win. Runs of 44 and 70 gave him a 2-0 lead, before he sealed the victory with a 91, just missing out on the £1,000 top break prize.
O'Sullivan's win raises him to the top of the league, with 8 points from 3 games.
"I played well really," said O'Sullivan. "I enjoy turning up having a laugh and I don't take it too seriously. Of course it hurts when I lose but I like being on the road and playing. I just want to play solid consistent snooker and get the rewards."
"I am down the rankings so any win is a result; happy days!" joked the rocket.
The league moves into Weston-Super-Mare next Thursday for week 5, featuring Mark Williams versus Judd Trump and John Higgins against Matthew Stevens.
Premier League week 4 results
Semi-finals
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-0 Matthew Stevens
70-0 (O'Sullivan 47), 94-0 (O'Sullivan 94), 77-12 (O'Sullivan 30, 34)
Ali Carter 3-0 Ding Junhui
82-9 (Carter 30, 44), 120-14(Carter 50, 70), 92-0 (Carter 91)
Final
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter
41-54 (Carter 34), 52-42 (O'Sullivan 37), 72-21 (O'Sullivan 68), 36-6
