Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals Shanghai Masters snooker inspiration in chase for record title - 'Each game is like a final'

Ronnie O'Sullivan will chase a sixth straight win over Judd Trump in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals on Saturday. The seven-time world champion has not lost to Trump since a 6-1 defeat in the 2020 World Grand Prix semi-finals, and has not suffered a loss in Shanghai since Michael Holt defeated him 5-2 in 2016. "Each game is like a final," said O'Sullvan after Thursday's 6-3 win over Ding Junhui.

Ronnie O'Sullivan admits the quality of the 24-man field at the elite Shanghai Masters is behind his remarkable run of success in the Chinese city.

“Every match is a tough one in this tournament," said the Essex player. "You have the 16 best players in the world. We all play to a very high standard, each game is like a final."

The defending champion moved within two wins of a fifth straight title at the invitational competition and sixth overall with a 6-3 win over home favourite Ding Junhui on Thursday that saw him produce breaks of 131, 70 and 62 to claim the final three frames from 3-3.

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“I don’t think either of us played anywhere near our best, but I just tried my hardest and I’m happy to get the win,” O'Sullivan – champion in 2009, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023 - told reporters.

O'Sullivan will meet world No. 2 Judd Trump in a best-of-19 frame semi-final on Saturday with both men chasing the £210,000 first prize on Sunday.

Former world champions Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy contest the first semi-final on Friday.

O'Sullivan wows crowd with double on final red in 131 break versus Ding

Video credit: TNT Sports

World No. 5 O'Sullivan has remarkably won 20 straight matches in Shanghai, last losing 5-2 at the tournament to Michael Holt in 2016 when it was a ranking event.

"I’m pleased to still be in, and looking forward to have a chance of winning this fantastic event again," he said.

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