Ronnie O'Sulllivan 7-1 Barry Hawkins
Ronnie O'Sullivan closed in on his record-equalling sixth Masters title by opening up a 7-1 lead over Barry Hawkins in the first session.
World number eight Hawkins, 36, won the first frame, but thereafter O'Sullivan took control.
A break of 136 in the third frame helped the 40-year-old stamp his authority on the final.
And the five-time world champion made three further breaks of 70 or more to move within three frames of victory.
O'Sullivan is looking to draw level with Stephen Hendry on six Masters titles.
The Essex potter was highly critical of his performance in his semi-final win over Stuart Bingham, saying he felt "embarrassed" and "had no touch or feel".
But he was in much more fluent form in the final as Hawkins - who has lost nine times in 10 previous meetings with O'Sullivan - appeared to wilt under the pressure of his first Masters final.
The biggest margin of victory in a best-of-19 Masters final came last year, when Shaun Murphy defeated Neil Robertson 10-2.
Sunday 17 January 2016
Saturday 16 January 2016
Friday 15 January 2016
Thursday 14 January 2016
Wednesday 13 January 2016
2016 Masters Day 4
John Higgins 6-4 Liang Wenbo
John Higgins came through a high quality encounter against tournament debutant Liang Wenbo to win his first round match 6-4 at the Masters.
There was never more than a frame between the pair before they went into the climax of the match tied at 4-4.
Higgins, who had made three centuries of 119, 104 and 133, produced a break of 85 to then move into a 5-4 lead.
Liang, 28, missed a green along the cushion in the 10th frame to allow Higgins, 40, to get over the line.
"A lot of players will think it was an easy shot on the green but I knew it was difficult," said Higgins.
"It was great to come through. We all know he is great player. He played great today, stuck in there and potted some unbelievable balls."
The Scot will now play Stuart Bingham on Friday in the quarter-finals.
He added: "If I play like that I have got a chance against anybody."
Neil Robertson 6-0 Marco Fu
John Higgins came through a high quality encounter against tournament debutant Liang Wenbo to win his first round match 6-4 at the Masters.
There was never more than a frame between the pair before they went into the climax of the match tied at 4-4.
Higgins, who had made three centuries of 119, 104 and 133, produced a break of 85 to then move into a 5-4 lead.
Liang, 28, missed a green along the cushion in the 10th frame to allow Higgins, 40, to get over the line.
"A lot of players will think it was an easy shot on the green but I knew it was difficult," said Higgins.
"It was great to come through. We all know he is great player. He played great today, stuck in there and potted some unbelievable balls."
The Scot will now play Stuart Bingham on Friday in the quarter-finals.
He added: "If I play like that I have got a chance against anybody."
Neil Robertson 6-0 Marco Fu
Tuesday 12 January 2016
2016 Masters Day 3
Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-5 Mark Williams
Ronnie O'Sullivan made a winning return in his first major tournament for nine months with a 6-5 victory over Mark Williams in the Masters first round.
Five-time world and Masters champion O'Sullivan took a break from the sport after last April's World Championship.
Trailing 4-2, he won three straight frames before securing his place in the quarter-finals after Williams missed a plant in the decider.
Mark Selby faces Ricky Walden at 19:00 GMT at Alexandra Palace in London.
"I was lucky to get through," O'Sullivan, 40, told BBC Sport. "We both didn't play well.
"When I was 4-2 down, I had nothing to lose and I loosened up a little.
"I didn't feel nervous but it is a nightmare tournament. I only live a few miles away from here. It is mayhem and a circus."
O'Sullivan chose not to play competitive snooker after losing to Stuart Bingham in the 2015 World Championship quarter-finals.
He returned to play in qualifying for the German Masters in December but failed to reach the main stages, winning his first match before suffering a shock defeat against Stuart Carrington.
A miscue in the third frame against two-time world champion Williams seemed to spoil O'Sullivan's rhythm as he struggled in front of a raucous crowd.
However, breaks of 104, 60 and 117 gave him a 5-4 lead, and O'Sullivan sealed victory with a 62 after the Welshman took the match to the final frame.
Mark Selby 6-0 Ricky Walden
Ronnie O'Sullivan made a winning return in his first major tournament for nine months with a 6-5 victory over Mark Williams in the Masters first round.
Five-time world and Masters champion O'Sullivan took a break from the sport after last April's World Championship.
Trailing 4-2, he won three straight frames before securing his place in the quarter-finals after Williams missed a plant in the decider.
Mark Selby faces Ricky Walden at 19:00 GMT at Alexandra Palace in London.
"I was lucky to get through," O'Sullivan, 40, told BBC Sport. "We both didn't play well.
"When I was 4-2 down, I had nothing to lose and I loosened up a little.
"I didn't feel nervous but it is a nightmare tournament. I only live a few miles away from here. It is mayhem and a circus."
O'Sullivan chose not to play competitive snooker after losing to Stuart Bingham in the 2015 World Championship quarter-finals.
He returned to play in qualifying for the German Masters in December but failed to reach the main stages, winning his first match before suffering a shock defeat against Stuart Carrington.
A miscue in the third frame against two-time world champion Williams seemed to spoil O'Sullivan's rhythm as he struggled in front of a raucous crowd.
However, breaks of 104, 60 and 117 gave him a 5-4 lead, and O'Sullivan sealed victory with a 62 after the Welshman took the match to the final frame.
Mark Selby 6-0 Ricky Walden
Monday 11 January 2016
2016 Masters Day 2
Judd Trump 6-4 Stephen Maguire
Judd Trump survived a spirited fightback from Stephen Maguire to reach the second round of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.
The 26-year-old world number five, led 4-1 after twice winning frames on the final black.
But breaks of 92, 74, and 56 got Scotland's Maguire level at 4-4.
Trump edged back ahead in the ninth and a Maguire error in the 10th let the Englishman in to seal a second-round tie with Neil Robertson or Marco Fu.
"I just tried to stay calm," Trump told BBC Two. "I was very nervous at 4-4 because I've not had a good last few tournaments and my confidence was very low.
"For me, it's an amazing win. My game is attacking, but everything in my head was negative. My lack of form has put pressure on because I was used to going out there and expecting to play well.
"I've played every day over Christmas - that's the first time I've ever done that. I think that's what got me through in the end.
"I've always enjoyed myself off the table, but now I'm at an age when I don't enjoy going out as much. Now I can give snooker four or five years of complete dedication and see what happens."
Barry Hawkins 6-3 Joe Perry
Judd Trump survived a spirited fightback from Stephen Maguire to reach the second round of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.
The 26-year-old world number five, led 4-1 after twice winning frames on the final black.
But breaks of 92, 74, and 56 got Scotland's Maguire level at 4-4.
Trump edged back ahead in the ninth and a Maguire error in the 10th let the Englishman in to seal a second-round tie with Neil Robertson or Marco Fu.
"I just tried to stay calm," Trump told BBC Two. "I was very nervous at 4-4 because I've not had a good last few tournaments and my confidence was very low.
"For me, it's an amazing win. My game is attacking, but everything in my head was negative. My lack of form has put pressure on because I was used to going out there and expecting to play well.
"I've played every day over Christmas - that's the first time I've ever done that. I think that's what got me through in the end.
"I've always enjoyed myself off the table, but now I'm at an age when I don't enjoy going out as much. Now I can give snooker four or five years of complete dedication and see what happens."
Barry Hawkins 6-3 Joe Perry
Sunday 10 January 2016
2016 Masters Day 1
Shaun Murphy 4-6 Mark Allen
Defending champion Shaun Murphy forfeited a frame as he was beaten 6-4 by Mark Allen in the first round of the Masters at London's Alexandra Palace.
Northern Ireland's world number 11 Allen knocked in breaks of 137 and 91 to lead 3-2.
Murphy then forfeited the sixth after failing to hit the reds with three successive shots when not snookered.
Allen's 104 took him 5-2 up, and though Murphy pulled two back with runs of 67 and 100 he could not force a decider.
World number four Murphy denied the incident cost him the match, and said he could not see an alternative shot.
"All other options left him a guaranteed chance so I had to man up, take a deep breath and play the right shot. Unfortunately I got it completely wrong," he said.
"It was a cracking game. That match could have been the final of any tournament. Unfortunately for me it was the first round and I'm on my way home."
Stuart Bingham 6-4 Ding Junhui
Defending champion Shaun Murphy forfeited a frame as he was beaten 6-4 by Mark Allen in the first round of the Masters at London's Alexandra Palace.
Northern Ireland's world number 11 Allen knocked in breaks of 137 and 91 to lead 3-2.
Murphy then forfeited the sixth after failing to hit the reds with three successive shots when not snookered.
Allen's 104 took him 5-2 up, and though Murphy pulled two back with runs of 67 and 100 he could not force a decider.
World number four Murphy denied the incident cost him the match, and said he could not see an alternative shot.
"All other options left him a guaranteed chance so I had to man up, take a deep breath and play the right shot. Unfortunately I got it completely wrong," he said.
"It was a cracking game. That match could have been the final of any tournament. Unfortunately for me it was the first round and I'm on my way home."
Stuart Bingham 6-4 Ding Junhui
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