Joe perry

Either Mark Allen: Ronnie O’Sullivan remained on course for a record-extending eighth Snooker Masters crown, after brushing aside Shaun Murphy 6-2 in the semfinal at Alexandra Palace, reaching his 14th final at the Masters.

Saturday'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 enhanced his already dominant head-to-head record against Murphy. He now leads his fellow Englishman 14-3 in meetings between the pair.