Ronnie rockets past Williams into semis

Ronnie O’Sullivan stayed on course for a recordequalling sixth Betway UK Championship title as Mark Williams became the latest victim of his relentless march.

Former world champion Williams kept pace with O’Sullivan early on before being swept away after the interval as the title favourite clinched a 6-2 victory in York.

Breaks of 64, 60 and 78 saw O’Sullivan, who turns 41 on Monday, home. He has dropped just five frames in five matches so far as he bids to match Steve Davis’s record haul of UK titles.

O’Sullivan said: “It wasn’t the greatest performance, but I’m sure my game will get stronger and it will need to if I’m going to consistently win again, but I’m a fighter and I’ll keep fighting until it happens.”

Williams felt he had lost to an under-par O’Sullivan, and said: “That’s probably the worst I’ve seen him play against me and he still hammered me.”

Earlier, Mark Selby won a brutal battle against John Higgins to set up a semi-final against Shaun Murphy.

A five-hour 6-5 win for Selby was secured in a nail-biting final frame. Higgins fluked the yellow and had a priceless opening, but he then failed to cut back the green into its own pocket and Selby capitalised.

“I’m gutted,” Higgins said. “I’d rather lose 6-0 than lose 6-5.”