O'Sullivan sets new career century record before downing Fu

File photo of Ronnie O'Sullivan. (AFP/Leon Neal)

LONDON: Ronnie O'Sullivan took sole possession of the record for most professional career century breaks when he posted his 776th three-figure contribution on Thursday (Jan 15).

O'Sullivan set a new mark in the opening frame of his eventual 6-1 Masters quarter-final win against Hong Kong's Marco Fu at London's Alexandra Palace, having equalled fellow multiple former world champion Stephen Hendry's record of 775 centuries with two hundreds during his tournament-opening win over Ricky Walden on Tuesday.

"I was a bit nervous, to be honest, because I knew everyone was thinking about it, so to get it out of the way was nice," O'Sullivan told the BBC. "But there was still a match to play - (at) 1-0, I was like, 'Calm down'," he added.

Hendry, now commentating for BBC television, said of O'Sullivan's record-breaking hundred: "It hasn't been in doubt from very early on. Every shot has been cued to perfection."

Local hero O'Sullivan, 39, was cheered to the echo by the crowd, who gave him a standing ovation when his break ended on 101 after 'The Rocket' lost position on the final red. Five-times Masters champion O'Sullivan raised his cue in acknowledgement of spectators' applause.

However, Fu kept his composure to win the second frame and level the best of 11 match at 1-1 before O'Sullivan, after a couple of hard-fought frames, pulled away to a convincing victory that saw him into the semi-finals of the Masters for the 11th time.

"Marco is playing consistently well, so I knew it was going to be a tough match," said O'Sullivan. "He is at the business end of most tournaments and he always plays well against me, so I knew I had to be on my game.

"The first four (frames) were a little bit hit and miss but I was pleased that I was able to not get frustrated and just try to compete and try to drain every bit out of those first four frames as I could."