Ronnie O'Sullivan's historic 92 break in a world final is still snooker's 'greatest ever clearance'

Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan once produced a clearance of 92 which is still dubbed by some as the greatest break in the history of the sport.

O'Sullivan is the most successful player in the history of snooker, with 39 ranking titles to his name.

He is also a seven-time world champion, tying him level at the top of the table with Stephen Hendry.

In 2019, he became the first player in the sport's history to reach 1,000 century breaks, while he holds the record for the fastest 147 maximum break.

He cleared the table in just five minutes and eight seconds in round one of the World Snooker Championship against Mick Price - and the fact that he set the record back in 1997 shows just how sensational the break was.

But amid current world number one Judd Trump producing a stunning clearance to win a frame against Shaun Murphy at the Champions of Champions event back in November, fans believe O'Sullivan made a better break.

The break in question was in the 2012 World Snooker Championship final, in which O'Sullivan cleared the table with a break of 92 en route to a 18-11 victory.

He only played one competitive match between then and the 2013 World Snooker Championship - which, coincidentally, he also won.

You can watch the break below.

After Carter missed an attempted pot on a red to the middle pocket at 16-0 down, O'Sullivan was given an opportunity - but it was far from an easy one.

One look at the table when he arrived tells you all you need to know.

BBC

The co-commentator even suggested 'The Rocket' would do well to get above 20, such was the lack of reds seemingly available to pot.

And by the time he had compiled a score of 38, commentator Dennis Taylor suggested that O'Sullivan cannon off the black from the blue in order to free up both balls.

But O'Sullivan had other ideas, playing instead for the red near the cushion.

BBC

A pot on the brown and a positional shot off three cushions then followed, before another excellent pot on another red near the cushion.

By the time O'Sullivan had compiled 60 - courtesy of a tight red into the bottom right pocket - he had won the frame.

Then came another pot on the brown, with the positional shot seeing O'Sullivan hit an inch-perfect cannon the final two reds by the bottom cushion.

After squeezing the first red in, the second followed, and 'The Rocket' potted the colours to seal a remarkable clearance.

In the comments section, snooker fans prophesised over just how good the break was.

One wrote: "I've watched countless 147 breaks, centuries, amazing safety exchanges, and excellent single ball pots. But I must say without any doubt, this is the greatest break I have had the pleasure to witness."

Another said: "This is the best break ever made by Ronnie O'Sullivan. To run out this difficult table with such an effortlessness."

A third added: "Only Ronnie could have made this break. Brilliant."

Another exclaimed: "This is masterclass of snooker. Such a stubborn clearance, but he just breezes through it like he's playing pool down the pub. A true artist."

And a fifth summed up everyone's thoughts: "You know he's above the rest when even the commentators have no clue what he's doing."