Saturday's showdown was the first time O\u2019Sullivan and Murphy have crossed cues in the Masters, having surprisingly avoided each other in snooker\u2019s biggest invitational event during their storied careers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
O\u2019Sullivan\u2019s win enhanced his already dominant head-to-head record against Murphy. He now leads his fellow Englishman 14-3 in meetings between the pair.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite his remarkable record in the Masters, 40-time ranking event winner O\u2019Sullivan hasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Either Mark Allen or Ali Carter will now be standing in the Rocket\u2019s way, when the Sunday's final takes place with a top prize of \u00a3250,000 and the Paul Hunter Trophy on the line.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the defeat ended Murphy\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Both players had chances in an edgy opening frame this afternoon, but it was O\u2019Sullivan who eventually took it, before claiming the second to move 2-0 ahead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Murphy fired in a sublime 131 to take the third frame and gain a foothold in the match. However, O\u2019Sullivan won a 27-minute third to edge further in front at 3-1 heading into the mid-session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the interval, a break of exactly 100 pulled Murphy within a frame at 3-2, before O\u2019Sullivan 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/01\/osullivan-eases-into-snooker-masters-final.jpg", "alt_img": "O'Sullivan eases into Snooker Masters final", "alt_title": "O'Sullivan eases into Snooker Masters final", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "O'Sullivan Eases Into Snooker Masters Final On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "O'Sullivan Eases Into Snooker Masters Final, Either Mark Allen: Ronnie O\u2019Sullivan remained on course for a record-extending eighth Snooker Masters crown, after brushing aside Shaun Murphy.", "seo_keywords": "Snooker Masters, Shaun Murphy, Alexandra Palace, North London, Joe Perry, Judd Trump, Either Mark Allen, Ali Carter, Paul Hunter Trophy, Zhang Anda, Jack Lisowski", "tag": "", "tagging": "Snooker Masters, Shaun Murphy, Alexandra Palace, North London, Joe Perry, Judd Trump, Either Mark Allen, Ali Carter, Paul Hunter Trophy, Zhang Anda, Jack Lisowski", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "osullivan-eases-into-snooker-masters-final", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "510", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-01-14 09:16:02", "updated": "2024-01-14 09:16:02", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Snooker Masters, Shaun Murphy, Alexandra Palace, North London, Joe Perry, Judd Trump, Either Mark Allen, Ali Carter, Paul Hunter Trophy, Zhang Anda, Jack Lisowski", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-01-14 09:16:02", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "others", "cnmid": "851391", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/osullivan-eases-into-snooker-masters-final-12150" }