O'Sullivan beats Murphy to close in on eighth title

Ronnie O'Sullivan won his first Masters title in 1995 at the age of 19 and remains the youngest ever winner Mr Q Masters Alexandra Palace, London 7 14 January Watch live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button and online; live text coverage of the final on Sunday 14 January. The world number took the opening two frames and the fourth to lead 3 1 after Murphy compiled a superb 131 break.

While another Murphy century brought him within a frame, O'Sullivan then went through the gears with runs of 90, 71 and 62 as he sealed his victory. O'Sullivan will now face either Mark Allen or Ali Carter in Sunday's final. As at the UK Championship in December, O'Sullivan, 48, now has his sights on the £250,000 top prize.

Already the tournament's youngest winner, he could now become its oldest too, eclipsing Stuart Bingham, who won his only Masters title, aged 43, in 2020. Sign up to to follow snooker news on the BBC app..