Snooker news - Ronnie O’Sullivan ousts Shaun Murphy to make Champion of Champions final

O’Sullivan put together runs of 64, 82, 51, 129, 127 65 and 59 to dispatch world number 10 Murphy in what on paper looked a comprehensive win.

However, O’Sullivan cut a frustrated figure for much of the contest, particularly with some loose positional play, and the Magician had some momentum having taken the fifth frame to cut the arrears to 3-2.

But a missed blue in frame six handed the initiative back to O’Sullivan, who produced consecutive centuries to put himself within one frame of a third final in three years.

Murphy rallied again but his 102 in frame eight – his second century of the match after a 123 in frame two – only delayed the inevitable, with O’Sullivan taking the ninth frame, courtesy of two visits, to set up a showdown with either Kyren Wilson or Mark Allen.

“There were a lot of frames Shaun would have won but he didn’t so I am just relieved to get over the line tonight,” said O’Sullivan after the match.

“Since the minute I got up, I have been nervous just thinking about this match,” said O’Sullivan.