Steve Davis used all of his guile and know-how to see off Ronnie O'Sullivan in the British Masters at Wembley Conference Centre last night. The titleholder defied expectation, and surprised O'Sullivan by recording a 6-3 victory to book his place in the last four of snooker's most lucrative and prestigious invitation tournament.

It was a repeat of when the pair met at Wembley 12 months ago when Davis fought back from the dead to lift the trophy with a 10-8 win in the final after O'Sullivan had looked certain to be crowned champion at 8-4 ahead.