Mark Selby produced a superb display to thrash Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-0 as he advanced into the semi-finals of the Players Championship in Telford.
Four-time world champion Selby compiled breaks of 65, 91, 81, 105 and 59 to race into a 5-0 lead.
World number one O’Sullivan made his first half century of the match in the sixth frame, but Selby overturned a 58-point deficit to seal his win.
Selby will face John Higgins or Zhang Anda in the last four.
“To beat Ronnie in any tournament by any scoreline is a great victory but to do it in the way I did – the safety was good, the long game was good, I was very, very pleased,” Selby said on ITV4.
Earlier on Thursday, Mark Allen celebrated his 38th birthday and 700th professional match with a 6-4 win over Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson.
The Northern Irishman won three of the final four frames against Wilson and will now play Ali Carter in the semi-finals on Friday.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan had come into his quarter-final contest with Selby looking for his 17th consecutive match victory.
The 48-year-old was also hoping to collect a fourth straight title, having won his past three events – the UK Championship, the Masters and the World Grand Prix.
Snooker: Mark Selby Thrashes Ronnie O’Sullivan To Reach Players Championship Semi-Finals
