European Masters 2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan delivers classy performance to beat Tom Ford and book semi-final spot

Ronnie O’Sullivan delivered a performance worthy of the hot favourite for the European Masters as he crushed Tom Ford 5-1. With the likes of Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, John Higgins and Mark Selby crashing out, O’Sullivan was installed as hot favourite to take the title for a second time. Ad/> If all favourites won, bookmakers would not be driving round in flash cars.

But O’Sullivan moved to within two matches of living up to the billing after mauling Ford. European Masters'Hurry up and get in' — O'Sullivan spots movement in crowd in middle of century break2 HOURS AGO O’Sullivan has seemed in a positive frame of mind in Milton Keynes this week, and talked about feeling like Superman when in the zone. It wasn’t quite Man of Steel levels, but it was pretty good as breaks of 136, 109, 90 and a couple of steals from behind hammered nails into Ford’s coffin.

O’Sullivan is arguably the finest to pick up a cue, but even the greats welcome slices of luck. He got one in the first, as a red hit the jaw of the left middle and clung to the rail before dropping in the yellow pocket. /> He cashed in, splitting the pack — with the reds placed as if he had moved them by hand for a practice session — and racing through break of 136.

A run of 90 in the second left Ford cold in his seat, and it looked set to be a similar story in the third but a miscue on a black handed a chance to his opponent. /> Ford did not take advantage, as he missed a tough red into the yellow pocket with the rest and O’Sullivan cleared the colours to steal and open up a three-frame advantage. I get mind fog — Akani reveals battle with depression and long Covid European Masters: Latest results, scores, schedule The underdog had half an eye on a 147 in the fourth