Stephen Hendry stormed to British Open success in Brighton on Sunday night against Ronnie O'Sullivan.

The Scotsman dispelled any lingering doubts about his new cue in a record-breaking British Open final as he picked up the £52,000 first prize.

Hendry, whose old cue was broken by airport baggage handlers two months ago, defeated O'Sullivan 9-6 on a day of big scores.

At one point there were five successive centuries, a record for a major final.

Hendry played superbly to win six of the last seven frames and capture the 35th ranking title of his career.

The Scot, winner of the title in 1988, 1991 and 1999, set the ball rolling for a classic final in the fourth frame, clinching it with a 135 total clearance to make it 2-2.

O'Sullivan, the champion as an 18-year-old in 1994, then fired in runs of 106 and 100 to lead 4-2.

Hendry hit back with a 121 before O'Sullivan secured his two-frame first-session advantage with a closing 109.

But Hendry engaged an even higher gear during the evening session, firing off breaks of 61, 50 and 135 to lead 6-5.

And when O'Sullivan broke down on 56 in the next frame, Hendry pounced to clear with 78 and make it 7-5.

The Scot extended his lead to 8-5 by winning the next courtesy of a 95 break and although O'Sullivan stopped the rot by closing to 8-6, visits of 42 and 30 were sufficient to carry Hendry over the line.

"That was as good as I've played in a long time," Hendry said.

"I knew I needed to play well because Ronnie has given me a few beatings in finals, and for 95 per cent of the match I was on top form.

"Going out for the final session, I tried to be patient because you will get a chance eventually against Ronnie. It's when you don't take them that he runs all over you."

Hendry, 34, was beaten 5-3 by Michael Holt in his first match at last month's LG Cup in Preston.

Many within the game wondered if he was destined to suffer a slow decline after losing the cue with which he won seven world titles in the 1990s.

But Hendry was delighted to have finally shattered the notion he was psychologically damaged by losing his trusty piece of wood.

"I was capable of this sort of form with the old cue," he said.

"This answers once and for all whether the new cue is any good and whether I'll play well with it.

"To win the second tournament I've entered with it proves there's nothing wrong."

O'Sullivan, who picks up £26,000 as runner-up, did his best to remain upbeat despite the defeat.

"Stephen was on fire in the final session and there was nothing I could do," O'Sullivan admitted.

"He played really well and deserved to win.

"I had a chance in the first frame of the evening session but once he won that I had no answers for him.

"I knew I'd have to play some good stuff to win. I didn't want to grind it out - I knew my form was there but you can't afford to lose five frames on the spin against Stephen.

"I'm trying to be positive. My natural reaction is to be negative but I'm trying to find the positives.

"It's difficult when something hurts you so much, but I'll feel better in a couple of days."

Final: Stephen Hendry (Sco) bt Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) 9-6 (Frame scores: 29-103 37-78 59-2 135(135)-0 0-106(106) 0-104(100) 135(121)-0 0-109(109) 84-28 89-4 135(135)-0 78-56 95-0 5-70 72-15)