Ronnie O'Sullivan on brink of World Championship semi-finals place after making light work of Stephen Maguire

Ronnie O’Sullivan left himself within two frames of reaching the World Championship semi-final after taking an 11-5 lead in his quarter-final against Stephen Maguire. O’Sullivan headed into the evening session with a 6-2 lead, but Maguire fought back to take the first frame of the session with a break of 62 and then followed that up with another of 73 to claim the 10th frame.

Ad/> The Rocket responded with a break of 64 in the 11th frame, which he followed up with a further break of 55 to restore his four-frame advantage at 8-4. World ChampionshipO'Sullivan opens up commanding lead over Maguire10 HOURS AGO Maguire had chances in these two frames, but failed to capitalise on these openings as the six-time champion restored his healthy lead.

In the next frame, O’Sullivan posted a break of 69 to take it and followed this up with a break of 94 to take a commanding 10-4 lead and move within three frames of victory. There seemed to be no stopping him now, as he took the next frame with a break of 73.

However, the final frame of the evening session went to Maguire, who rallied well to take it with a break of 66. Maguire's task on Wednesday morning remains unenviable: clinch eight frames before O'Sullivan wins two.