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

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.

“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

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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