Sport

Ronnie O’Sullivan books Masters semi-final spot

Five-time world champion still not happy with form despite beating Mark Selby

Ronnie O’Sullivan of England reacts after missing a shot during his quarter-final match against Mark Selby at the Masters at Alexandra Palace in London, England. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Ronnie O’Sullivan of England reacts after missing a shot during his quarter-final match against Mark Selby at the Masters at Alexandra Palace in London, England. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Thu Jan 14 2016 - 16:44

Ronnie O'Sullivan completed a tremendous clearance to beat Mark Selby and book his spot in the semi-finals of the Masters.

O'Sullivan is back on the big stage after eight months away and battled to a 6-5 victory over Mark Williams in round one.

The five-time world champion was still not happy with his form following his 6-3 win against Selby, but those watching were certainly impressed.

O'Sullivan was never behind at Alexandra Palace, winning the opening frame with a 63 break before Selby pulled level.

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Three more breaks over 50 helped O’Sullivan into a 3-1 lead and a break of exactly 100 put him 4-2 up at the interval.

Both men knew the seventh frame was crucial and made mistakes as a result, but it was O’Sullivan that crossed the finish line first .

Selby mounted a fightback by winning the eighth frame and looked poised to make it 5-4 when he compiled a break of 70.

But O'Sullivan cleared the table with a 73 and will play either old rival John Higgins or world champion Stuart Bingham in the last four.

Reflecting on his clearance, O’Sullivan said: “It was a good first red. Under pressure it was good but I was never going to refuse a shot.

“I don’t feel great but I’m trying to kid myself that I’m confident. You’re not going to win this tournament by playing negative, playing bad. I need to try to find something.”