Rainham's Gerard Greene was soundly beaten in Friday’s final of the Paul Hunter Classic by world champion Ronnie 'The Rocket' O’Sullivan.

Greene had beaten Ali Carter 4-3 in the semi-finals of the tournament in Fuerth, Germany to set up a match against the World number one.

It was the first time Greene had made it to the final of a ranking point event but the 25,000 euro winner’s cheque eluded him.

The final of the European Tour event saw Greene - ranked 57 in the world - swept aside in just 44 minutes by a ruthless O’Sullivan.

Breaks of 92, 69, 61 and a tournament-clinching 110 clearance saw O’Sullivan claim a 4-0 win against the Kent player and his first title of the season.

Greene was meeting an O’Sullivan in top form. The five-times world champion had conceded just one frame on the way to the final.

Despite a one-side final, Greene had earlier raised eyebrows in the tournament, most notably with his triumph over Carter in the semis, to prevent a repeat of the world championship final.

Greene made his way into the last 16 by beating Josh Astley 4-2 and then overcoming Thailand’s Thanawat Tirapongpailboon.

He beat last year’s finalist Joe Swail 4-1 to set up a match against world number 18 Carter.
The event in Fuerth was on of eight European Tour matches. Next up is the Ruhr Open in Germany on October 3.