Mark Selby is coming into form at just the right time with the defence of his UK Championship crown starting later this month.
The Jester from Leicester won his first title of the season on Sunday when he fought back from 3-1 down to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-3 in a dramatic final at the Antwerp Open European Tour event, in Belgium.
A cool clearance in the deciding frame earned Selby the 25,000 Euro top prize in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 1,200 at the Lotto Arena.
O'Sullivan won the opening frame with a break of 74, and the second went down to the colours, Selby taking it with a long pot on the blue.
O'Sullivan regained the lead with a run of 54, then stole frame four with a fine clearance from the penultimate red to go 3-1 ahead.
Selby dominated the next with 52 and 61, then made a superb 126 for 3-3.
World champion O'Sullivan had the first clear chance in the decider but missed a black off its spot at 36-0.
That proved his last shot as Selby's 77 gave him the title.
"Any time you play Ronnie you have to be on your game," said world No.2 Selby.
"From 3-1 down I played really well. I never give up but I didn't expect to get another chance in the decider."
O'Sullivan said: "I never like losing but it is part of sport.
"There are a lot more tournaments coming up and I hope I'll get a victory soon.
"I'm just enjoying being involved in big games."
Ben Woollaston did his best to make it an all-Leicester final but bowed out 4-2 against O'Sullivan in the semi-finals.
In the earlier rounds, Selby had beaten man-of-the-moment Ding Junhui 4-1 in the last eight, the Chinese ace having won the previous three events.
Selby also beat Judd Trump 4-3 in the last 32, despite the Bristolian firing in a maximum 147 break, the first of his career.
