Selby sets up O'Sullivan rematch

Ronnie O'Sullivan
12 April 2012

Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan will face Mark Selby in the the final of the Pokerstars.com Masters at Wembley on Sunday.

World number one O'Sullivan won an exciting contest against Mark Williams 6-5, while Selby saw off Scotland's Stephen Maguire 6-3.

Williams was quick out of the blocks in the first of the two semis, establishing a two-frame lead as O'Sullivan struggled for confidence. However, the crowd favourite opened his account with a break of 86 after Williams had missed a red while attempting a cut, potting the black in the process.

O'Sullivan was into his stride and levelled the match with a break of 99, which would have been a century had he not missed a straight yellow as an over-enthusiastic fan called out.

'The Rocket' took the lead by winning the fifth frame 63-10 but Williams responded with an impressive 132 to level the scores.

O'Sullivan edged 4-3 ahead but the left-hander from Cwm tied the scores and moved to within a frame of victory with a break of 96. However, a cool contribution of 67 enabled O'Sullivan to level the score and take the contest to a deciding frame.

Three-time world champion O'Sullivan twice looked to have handed the initiative to his opponent, firstly when he inadvertently fouled by potting two reds after sinking the blue, then when he left the Welshman a three-quarter length red. However, Williams wasted the second opening and O'Sullivan held his nerve to establish a 25-point lead with only blue, pink and black remaining - pumping his fist in delight as he neared the finishing line. Williams did not concede but soon after the contest was over, leaving O'Sullivan delighted.

O'Sullivan will meet Leicester's Selby, ranked seven in the world, in a repeat of last year's final.

'The Jester from Leicester' took the first and third frames in tonight's encounter with Maguire, but on each occasion he was pegged back - with the highlight of the first four frames an impressive 140 clearance in the fourth by the Scotsman.

Selby took advantage of a slip by Maguire to take the lead for the third time but a break of 99 again enabled the world number two to tie things up. However, Selby finished strongest, taking the lead again with a break of 91, going two frames clear by taking a scrappy fifth frame, then wrapping up the success with a run of 51 in frame nine.

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