| Meeting point: Crucible Theater, Sheffield Date: April 16-2. May |
| Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV and Red Button with uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app |
Six-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan advanced to the semifinals of the World Cup with a comfortable 13-5 victory over Stephen Maguire.
O’Sullivan, the world number one, led 11-5 overnight, compiling breaks of 71 and 126 to secure the victory in 20 minutes.
With his victory, he reaches a 13th Crucible semifinal, one more than Stephen Hendry’s figure of 12.
He will now face either four-time winner John Higgins or Jack Lisowski.
“I stayed focused and tried everything. There’s a toolbox, you try to use everything in there and play your own game,” O’Sullivan said.
“I would rather not play here because it’s a tough tournament.
“I’ve always said that this and the Masters are my two worst tournaments. I actually prefer to go to Leicester to play in the Championship League, but you just have to show up to this one and give this one your best.”
O’Sullivan is now just two victories away from a record-breaking seventh Crucible crown in the modern era, a landmark that Hendry has had since 1999.
After running away with the first two sessions of the match, Wednesday morning’s end showed a formality for ‘The Rocket’, which aptly confirmed progression with its highest break in the match and its seventh century in the tournament.
“I did not lose it in the first session because you can come back from 6-2, but last night the match was over,” said Maguire.
“I wish it was over last night. I do not like to be beaten. It hurts.”
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