London
Snooker maestro Ronnie O’Sullivan showcased his mastery on the green baize, securing a convincing 6-2 victory over Shaun Murphy in the semifinal of the Snooker Masters at Alexandra Palace. This win propels O’Sullivan into his 14th Masters final, where he will vie for a record-extending eighth Masters crown. The highly anticipated clash marked the first meeting between O’Sullivan and Murphy in the Masters, two stalwarts of the snooker world who have remarkably avoided each other in this prestigious invitational event throughout their illustrious careers. O’Sullivan’s dominance in the head-to-head record against Murphy was further underlined as he now leads 14-3 in their encounters. The Rocket’s quest for another Masters title is in sight, with his last triumph in North London dating back to 2017. In the semifinal, both players had opportunities in an edgy opening frame, but it was O’Sullivan who seized it, taking a 2-0 lead. Murphy responded with a sublime break of 131 in the third frame to establish a foothold. However, O’Sullivan maintained control, winning the third and heading into the mid-session break with a 3-1 advantage. Murphy fought back with a century break, reducing the deficit to 3-2. Despite the Magician’s efforts, O’Sullivan’s class shone through as he secured three consecutive frames with breaks of 90, 71, and 62, sealing a dominant 6-2 victory. O’Sullivan now awaits the winner of the clash between Mark Allen and Ali Carter in the final, where a top prize of £250,000 and the prestigious Paul Hunter Trophy will be at stake. The Rocket’s pursuit of snooker greatness continues, and the final promises to be a captivating battle on the green baize.
