Snooker news - Ronnie O'Sullivan through to Masters semis, Ding Junhui wins epic against Luca Brecel

It was an impressive performance, epitomised by his display in the eighth frame, in which he came to the table 66-0 down, and cleared 78 to put himself within touching distance of the next round.

O'Sullivan also made six breaks of 60 or more, leaving Day struggling.

"I believe if I play OK to a certain level I have a good chance against anybody but if I don't perform anybody can beat me," O'Sullivan said afterwards.

This will be O'Sullivan's 14th semi-final as he seeks his record eighth Masters title.

In the semi-finals O'Sullivan will face former winner Ding Junhui after China's No.1 overcame Luca Brecel 6-5 in a thriller.

The match went the distance, to the eleventh and final frame, as the pair just could not be separated - and the tension told as both made fistfuls of mistakes and misjudgements as the end approached.

Earlier, Ding forfeited the ninth frame after his third unsuccessful effort at a shot, much to the dismay of the Alexandra Palace crowd who were firmly on his side after he declared a foul against himself for hitting the cue ball prematurely.

Brecel had been fastest out of the blocks despite suffering some problems with his cue tip in the opening exchanges.