Ronnie O'Sullivan showed his class by using his post-match interview at the Masters to heap praise on Ding Junhui for his incredible 147 break.
O'Sullivan was in cruise control in the early stages of the match, which was a repeat of the UK Championship final that the Englishman won last month.
Ding was being made to pay for some costly errors on the table with O'Sullivan racking through the frames to open up a quick 4-0 lead.
But it was O'Sullivan's turn to make some mistakes that allowed Ding back into the game, who brought the match back to 4-2.
Ronnie O'Sullivan congratulated Ding Junhui on his 147
PA
Then he produced a moment of Masters history in the seventh frame as the Chinese snooker legend recorded the fourth maximum break of the tournament's history.
The crowd were on their feet after Ding sunk the final black with O'Sullivan also getting up to congratulate his opponent.
But that proved to be the last piece of joy Ding had in the match as O'Sullivan hit a 127-break of his own in the very next frame before wrapping up the win in style.
O'Sullivan appeared lost for words about his own play immediately after the match, instead choosing to heap praise on his opponent's incredible 147.
"Unbelievable 147 from Ding," O'Sullivan said.
"I knew he was going to make it from about the second or third red.
"His positional play is so good and he just wasn't out of position once. What a magnificent player.
"A great break and I was pleased to get over the line in the end."
Ronnie O'Sullivan praised Ding Junhui after the match
GETTY
The 48-year-old was less positive about his own game, admitting that he was struggling to make things work for him.
"I was just trying to manufacture stuff out there," he added.
"But I tried and tried out there. There's nothing more you can do is there. I don't even know what to say to be honest with ya [laughs]."
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"What a moment this is, unbelievable"
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 8, 2024
Ding Junhui with an 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 147 against Ronnie O'Sullivan 🤯⚫ pic.twitter.com/Sl1UsUmWo1
O'Sullivan is now through to his 25th Masters quarter-final, where he will face either Neil Robertson or Barry Hawkins.
But the seven-time Masters champion has no plans to watch any of his rivals in action while he waits for his next match.
Speaking in the BBC studio afterwards, he admitted that he "doesn't like watching any of it".
He added: "I'm not really into it to be honest.
"I watched a frame last night and I thought... I'm off."
