RONNIE O’Sullivan stands just three frames away from winning a joint record sixth Masters title after dominating the opening session of this year’s final against Barry Hawkins.

O’Sullivan leads the world number eight by a huge margin of 7-1 going into tonight’s final session at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Ronnie O’Sullivan. Picture by Monique Limbos

Barring what would be a surprising comeback from Hawkins tonight (Sunday), O’Sullivan will level with Stephen Hendry’s record of winning the event, one of snooker’s biggest trophies, six times. No other player in the game has achieved that fete.

Hawkins came back from 45 points down to take the first fame but what followed was pure domination from the five-times world champion in what is a rematch of the 2103 World Championship final.

Breaks of 70 and 136 turned the match O’Sullivan’s favour and he never looked back winning the next five frames with breaks of 77 and 72.

The winner of the Masters will win the prestigious trophy and a cheque for £200,000. The final resumes at 7pm.