World Snooker Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan strikes late against Shaun Murphy
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN struck late to keep rival Shaun Murphy at bay yesterday.
Ronnie O'Sullivan smashes cue on table after missing shot
The Rocket will carry a 10-6 lead into the final session of his Betfred World Championship last-16 clash at the Crucible – needing three frames for victory.
In what is always a grudge clash between players with little time for each other, Murphy trailed 9-3 – fearing another 13-3 drubbing as in Sheffield in 2014.
With his back to the wall the 34-year-old Murphy, the champion in 2005, mounted a stirring comeback helped by breaks of 84, 73 and 87.
But O’Sullivan snatched a vital last frame of the day on the black after Murphy blew a chance to close up by missing the final green.
Ronnie O'Sullivan turned on the style to take the ascendancy against Shaun Murphy
Shaun Murphy in action against Ronnie O'Sullivan
Allen has a winning career record over Higgins, with big wins at the Masters over his more illustrious friend and rival in recent years.
Meanwhile defending champion and world No1 Mark Selby knows he has a chance to hog the Leicester limelight this year.
The 33-year-old Selby, a huge Foxes fan, joked: “The two times I have won at the Crucible they have stolen my thunder back home with the Championship, and the Premier League.
“They can’t win the Champions League now this season – that was the only thing that would have eclipsed it again, so it’s down to me to make the most of it.”