Masters snooker LIVE: Ronnie O’Sullivan beats Shaun Murphy to reach final

Ronnie O’Sullivan is now just one win away from a record-extending eighth Masters title after beating Shaun Murphy 6-2

Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals he was 'on phone to Samaritans' at snooker world championships

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s pursuit of an eighth Masters crown rolls on after he demolished Shaun Murphy 6-2 to reach the final.

O’Sullivan hit the headlines after describing the Alexandra Palace venue as “disgusting” after his quarter-final win over Barry Hawkins but that didn’t stop him producing a supreme show of snooker might to down Murphy and reach a remarkable 14th Masters final.

The 48-year-old can become the oldest player in history to win the Masters by triumphing in Sunday showpiece and that would add to his exisitng record of being the youngest-ever winner of the tournament. His victory at the UK Championship in December ensured he is now the oldest and youngest man to win that event.

O’Sullivan will play either Ali Carter or Mark Allen, who meet later on Saturday, in Sunday’s final.

Relive the semi-final below:

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Shaun Murphy - live updates

• Ronnie O’Sullivan beats Shaun Murphy 6-2 in the Masters semi-final
• O’Sullivan is now just one win away from a record-extending eighth Masters title
• REPORT: Ronnie O’Sullivan calls out younger players after cruising into Masters final
• ‘The Rocket’ criticised ‘disgusting’ Alexandra Palace ahead of the semi-final
• Final score: Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-2 Shaun Murphy

[13 January 2024 12:25 · Luke Baker]

What is the Masters prize money?

Here’s how much the players will earn at Ally Pally this week:

Winner: £250,000

Runner-up: £100,000

Semi-finals: £60,000

Quarter-finals: £30,000

First round: £15,000

Highest break prize: £15,000

Total prize pot: £725,000

[13 January 2024 12:17 · Luke Baker]

When is the Masters and how to watch?

When is the tournament?

The Masters begins on Sunday 7 January at Alexandra Palace, and the final will be played on Sunday 14 January.

How to watch

The entire tournament will be broadcast on Eurosport and Discovery+, which are the rights holders in Ireland and the rest of Europe. Some matches will also be shown on BBC TV channels.

Viewers can stream the action online via the BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer websites and apps, as well as the Eurosport and Discovery+ website and apps.

[13 January 2024 12:14 · Luke Baker]

Masters snooker schedule and order of play today

Snooker returns to our screens in 2024 with the Masters at Alexandra Palace, one of the sport’s jewels in the Triple Crown.

The Masters is always a special event as the world’s best 16 players go up against one another in a straight knockout format.

Judd Trump is the reigning champion after beating Mark Williams in last year’s final, while Ronnie O’Sullivan is aiming to win a record-extending eighth title.

There are several other past winners in this year’s tournament. Mark Selby has three Masters titles; John Higgins, Neil Robertson and Williams have all won it twice; Ding Junhui, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen and Trump all have one title each.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 Masters.

[13 January 2024 12:14 · Luke Baker]

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Shaun Murphy

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Masters snooker from Alexandra Palace. The dart boards have been packed away and the baize snooker table erected at Ally Pally for the first event of the year.

And we have a cracking semi-final this afternoon with the ever-popular Ronnie O’Sullivan facing one of the sport’s other big-hitters, Shaun Murphy.

Stick with us for full live coverage.