Day 7 at the Masters is semi-finals day and the two players who emerged the winners of their semi-finals are Ronnie and Ali Carter. Here are the reports by WST on yesterdays matches:

ROCKET SET FOR 14TH MASTERS FINAL

Ronnie O’Sullivan remained on course for a record extending eighth MrQ Masters crown, after brushing aside Shaun Murphy 6-2 in the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace.

This afternoon’s showdown was the first time O’Sullivan and Murphy have crossed cues in the Masters, having surprisingly avoided each other in snooker’s biggest invitational event during their storied careers.

O’Sullivan’s win today enhances his already dominant head-to-head record against Murphy. He now leads his fellow Englishman 14-3 in meetings between the pair.

Despite his remarkable record in the Masters, 40-time ranking event winner O’Sullivan hasn’t lifted the title in North London since 2017, when he defeated Joe Perry in then final. His last trip to the title match saw him suffer defeat at the hands of Judd Trump in 2019.

Either Mark Allen or Ali Carter will now be standing in the Rocket’s way, when the tomorrow’s final takes place with a top prize of £250,000 and the Paul Hunter Trophy on the line.

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Defeat ends Murphy’s quest for a second Masters crown, following his victory in 2015. However, the Magician can reflect on a good week, which included fine wins over debutant Zhang Anda and Jack Lisowski.

Both players had chances in an edgy opening frame this afternoon, but it was O’Sullivan who eventually took it, before claiming the second to move 2-0 ahead.

Murphy fired in a sublime 131 to take the third frame and gain a foothold in the match. However, O’Sullivan won a 27-minute third to edge further in front at 3-1 heading into the mid-session.

After the interval, a break of exactly 100 pulled Murphy within a frame at 3-2, before O’Sullivan charged to the line. Runs of 90, 71 and 62 were enough to give him three on the bounce and wrap up a dominant 6-2 victory.

“I’m not going to sweat guts out there. I’m not going to make 20 or 30 and play safe. There is no point and I’m not going to enjoy it like that, so go for doubles and trebles. I’m not playing kamikaze shots, there is an element of safety, but I can’t leave the table when I think I should have cleared up. I can’t do it.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan

Seven-time Masters Champion

“I’m not going to be out there like Selby and Allen were last night. I’m not that hungry,” added 48-year-old O’Sullivan whilst speaking to BBC Sport.

“If I play Carter it will be a right nightmare, because he wants to get in my face. I can deal with him. Allen is good, solid and strong. Whoever it is, it is going to be tough. If they bring their game and their bottle, both of them should win. You never know I might find another clue tomorrow.”

Murphy said: “He was too good, as simple as that. Sometimes you can look at your own game. I missed a couple of shots here or there, but it felt like from my point of view that I played better in that match than I have in the previous two. I just thought Ronnie was superb. If he plays like that you may as well give him the trophy now.”

You will find more content about this match – notably by Eurosport – here.

CAPTAIN SETS UP O’SULLIVAN FINAL

Ali Carter is through to his second MrQ Masters final after an enthralling 6-3 semi-final defeat of Mark Allen at Alexandra Palace.

The Captain now faces a mouth-watering clash with old adversary and record breaking seven-time Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final.

The head-to-head standings stack up heavily in world number one O’Sullivan’s favour, who leads by a 17-1 margin. Carter’s solitary victory against the Rocket came in a fiery World Championship encounter back in 2018.

Carter is hunting what would be a dream maiden Triple Crown title, having already appeared in three finals. Two of those were against tomorrow’s opponent O’Sullivan. He succumbed to an 18-8 defeat in the 2008 world final, as well as an 18-11 loss at the Crucible in 2012. Carter was runner-up to Stuart Bingham here at Alexandra Palace in 2020, after losing a pulsating final 10-8.

Allen falls short of appearing in his second Masters final. The Pistol fired to victory here in 2018, after beating Kyren Wilson 10-7 in the title match. However, he will have to settle for the last four this year. He has the consolation of heading to the Crucible knowing he is a maximum break away from scooping a massive £147,000 payout. Allen fired in the perfect break in yesterday’s semi-final with Mark Selby.

It was Allen who took a tight first frame this evening, before Carter produced a spellbinding burst to take charge. A break of 71 restored parity and he then fired in three consecutive century runs of 100, 101 and 105 to move 4-1 ahead.

Northern Irishman Allen continued the scintillating standard in the sixth frame, producing the match’s fourth consecutive century with a break of 101 to stay in contention at 4-2. A dramatic seventh swung one way then the other.

Carter looked set to move one from the win when an unexpected miss with the rest ended his break on 55. Allen stepped up to make a superb clearance of 39 to steal on the black and make it 4-3.

Essex’s Carter then moved one from the win at 5-3, but faced a gruelling 45-minute ninth frame. It came right down to the final blue, which Carter eventually cut into the top left ahead of depositing the pink for a famous victory.

“I got it going in the middle of the match. I played some really good stuff there. Mark made it tough and showed what a great competitor he is. I’m delighted to get through to another Triple Crown final.”

Ali Carter

German Masters Champion

“I have every confidence. I’ve just got to worry about my game and I’m relishing the challenge. What better than to play the greatest player of all time on the biggest stage? It doesn’t get any better,” said world number ten Carter.

“To not be in awe is the main thing for me to concentrate on tomorrow and to enjoy it. I need to enjoy the occasion. I probably didn’t enjoy the two world finals as much as I should have done looking back now I’d love to rewind the clock and just enjoy it. That is what I’m going to do tomorrow.”

Allen said: “Ali played very well tonight. That is the difference. Mark Selby and John Higgins had their chances and didn’t take them, Ali did. I played the way I have all week to be honest, I was really struggling for form. I gave it everything and I got myself back in the game at 4-3. It just wasn’t meant to be.”

This is Ronnie fourteenth Masters Final. He’s won seven of the previous thirteen. Can he make it eight? Will he dig in hard if needed? Going by his quotes yesterday, he won’t, but today is another day. What will he do when he will actually be at the table? I’m not sure. It would be great of course if he get an eight Masters title, but on the other hand that will only feed the “888 narrative” and add pressure come the World Championship.

Ali Carter played really well yesterday, as he did most of the week. He’s been the more consistent player in this tournament so far. He certainly has his chances today.