Masters 2024: Ronnie O’Sullivan defeats Barry Hawkins 6-3 to reach Masters semis
- By Neil Goulding
- BBC Sport
Image supply, Getty Images
Ronnie O’Sullivan is chasing his first Masters crown since 2017
| Venue: Alexandra Palace, London Dates: 7-14 January |
| Coverage: Watch reside on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button and on-line; reside textual content protection of the ultimate on Sunday 14 January. |
Ronnie O’Sullivan labelled himself “awful” regardless of beating Barry Hawkins 6-3 to keep on the right track for a record-extending eighth Masters crown.
O’Sullivan rallied from 3-2 down to safe a spot in his 15th Masters semi-final at Alexandra Palace.
Hawkins began brightly, however O’Sullivan completed stronger and can play Shaun Murphy or Jack Lisowski on Saturday afternoon (13.00 GMT).
“I’m lucky to get through,” O’Sullivan advised BBC Sport.
“I felt dangerous for Barry, I simply dragged him down to my degree. It’s a humorous previous sport.
“I did not really feel any strain in any respect to be trustworthy, possibly that is why I performed like I did. I believe you want that strain generally to get you motivated.”
O’Sullivan gained the opening body with an 88 break, however Hawkins, twice a overwhelmed Masters finalist, replied with runs of 74, 56 and 47 to lead 3-2 shortly after the interval.
However, the left-hander missed a string of fine possibilities to lengthen his lead additional and O’Sullivan, who has not gained the title for seven years, pounced in typical predatory vogue to progress.
Fine breaks of 77 and 60 allowed him to shut out the match in fashion as he moved inside two wins of the £250,000 first prize.
“That’s probably the most terrible normal of snooker,” added O’Sullivan. “I simply stated to Barry on the finish: ‘Sorry mate.’
“I’ve simply bought this capability with sure gamers the place if I play dangerous, then they play even worse.
“Some of the opposite guys will punish me, however I’ve simply had all of it by my life.”
Hawkins was hammered 10-1 by O’Sullivan when the pair met within the 2017 Masters closing and he had not beat him for the reason that 2016 World Championship in Sheffield.
His report of simply three wins from 20 conferences between the pair did not bode nicely – and so it proved as O’Sullivan, in no way at his greatest, registered yet one more victory.
“I let him [Ronnie] off the hook – I had sufficient possibilities,” stated Hawkins.
“For some cause your thoughts wanders while you play Ronnie. I’ve bought no complaints.”
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Three-time Masters champion Steve Davis talking on BBC Two
It does appear, sometimes, Ronnie will get into the zone the place he does not need to be slowed down with tactical play, so he prefers to be far more aggressive.
In the top he did a great job. It at all times seems like Ronnie desires to entertain, however I do not suppose that is actually a very powerful factor.
He’ll most likely really feel he is let individuals down, however in the long run he completed the job – and that is all that issues.
But Barry Hawkins will probably be going again to his dressing room and saying: “I had so many possibilities – and I threw all of them away.”
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