Six-time World Snooker Champion O'Sullivan Into Semis
Muhammad Rameez Published April 28, 2022 | 08:40 AM
London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Apr, 2022 ) :Six-time world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan cruised into the Crucible semi-finals for a record 13th time by wrapping up a 13-5 win over Stephen Maguire on Wednesday.
The 46-year-old reeled off breaks of 71 and 126 in the first two frames of the morning session to surpass the record he had shared with Stephen Hendry for reaching the last four in Sheffield.
But despite closing in on Hendry's modern-era record of seven world titles, O'Sullivan is adamant that the Scot's dominance of the sport in the 1990s still makes him the greatest player.
"Stephen is an all-time legend for me, the greatest player," the world number one told the BBC.
"He was the Tiger Woods of snooker. Me, John (Higgins) and Mark (Williams) have all done well, but when he was flying he was a superstar.
"When there's three of us, we're not superstars. But when there's one man dominating the sport like he did, like Tiger Woods, it's a different level." O'Sullivan had carved out a commanding lead despite never quite hitting top form against Scottish qualifier Maguire on Tuesday, but showed glimpses of his best upon the resumption after a missed black from his opponent sealed his fate.
The Englishman will play John Higgins in the semi-finals after the four-time champion survived a classic encounter against Jack Lisowski.
Higgins showed all his experience to win the final two frames, taking the match 13-12 after falling 12-11 behind.
On the three previous occasions Higgins has beaten O'Sullivan in the World Championship he has gone on to lift the trophy.
Mark Williams booked his place in the semi-finals with a tense 13-11 win over Yan Bingtao, who had hoped to become only the second Chinese player to make the last four.
Williams will play Judd Trump after the 2019 champion recovered from a dismal opening session of the day to reel off eight frames in succession in his 13-8 victory against Stuart Bingham.
"I could not pot a ball and I just tried to dig in and not get too down about it," Trump said.
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
8 hours ago -
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
8 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
8 hours ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
8 hours ago -
Bagnaia hits back with record Jerez practice lap
8 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
8 hours ago
-
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
10 hours ago -
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
10 hours ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy unveiling ceremony held
10 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
11 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
12 hours ago -
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrangements
12 hours ago