O'Sullivan equals Hendry's snooker record

English snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan has equalled Stephen Hendry's record of 775 century breaks.

Snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan (pic) has equalled Stephen Hendry's record of 775 century breaks. (AAP)

Ronnie O'Sullivan equalled Stephen Hendry's record of 775 century breaks en route to a 6-4 victory over Ricky Walden at the Masters in London on Tuesday.

O'Sullivan, the reigning champion, cruised into a 5-1 lead in the first-round match at Alexandra Palace, only for Walden to hit back and win three frames in a row.

But the Englishman completed victory by taking the 10th frame, with a fluke on a yellow allowing him to make a 116 clearance and equal Hendry's record on the Scot's 46th birthday.

"You go chasing records and you end up doing it on a fluke!" O'Sullivan said. "I'd had a bit of run through the match and thought 'I could fluke this one.'"

Hendry, analysing the game for the BBC, said: "It was a matter of time."

O'Sullivan will now play Hong Kong's Marco Fu, who recorded a 147 clearance in his first-round win over Stuart Bingham.

Meanwhile, the evening session saw Ali Carter secure an emotional 6-1 victory over Barry Hawkins in his first competitive match since being given the all-clear from lung cancer.