Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan powered into the World Championship semi-finals with a 13-3 demolition of 2005 winner Shaun Murphy.
O’Sullivan, who is trying to win his sixth Crucible title, won seven of the eight frames played to secure a last-four tie against either Dominic Dale or last year’s runner-up Barry Hawkins. Earlier, Mark Selby reached the semis with a 13-5 victory over Alan McManus. The 2007 runner-up will now play either Judd Trump or Neil Robertson. O’Sullivan, who is the overwhelming favourite to secure his third successive title, won with a session to spare, although the 38-year-old said he had overcome an issue with his cue following Tuesday’s session. “I had to change my tip after yesterday,” he told BBC Radio 5 live. “You want to get comfortable with that. When the tip isn’t right – no matter how well you’re playing – you’re maybe not 100% confident with
performing all the shots you want to play. I managed to make most of them though.” Asked about dominating Wednesday’s session, O’Sullivan added: “I kept getting let in quite easily. I was scoring off Shaun’s errors. “I was never really thinking I had the win. I played each frame at a time and tried to score with every chance I had and play good safety.” Selby is among the possible final opponents for O’Sullivan, should he get there, and the Leicester player secured his semi-final place by winning the second frame of Wednesday’s morning session against McManus after resuming 12-4 ahead. “I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait to get out there,” said Selby, who reaches his third Crucible semi-final, having been runner-up to John Higgins seven years ago. Meanwhile, Trump holds a 6-2 advantage over Australian 2010 world champion Robertson. The match will resume at 14:30 BST, as will the contest featuring Hawkins, who needs only two more frames to seal victory over Welshman Dale. – BBC Sport
