It was Ronnie O’Sullivan ho booked his place in the final first after beating Marco Fu in a classic semi-final showdown that brought the best out of both players.
Fu initially looked like the man to beat, but a change of tip for O’Sullivan and a couple of errors from Fu at the closing stages saw the 6 times Masters Champion book his place in the final.
In the post match interview O’Sullivan said;
“It’s probably the best match I’ve ever won, I’ve got to be honest with you given the circumstances.”
O’Sullivan also commented that his cue action is in top shape and the change of tip made all the difference.
“If your playing well you can get away with a new tip. If your cueing badly and you put a new tip on, it’s over.”
Joe Perry also booked his spot in the final after almost being knocked out.
Perry was 5-2 down and in need of snookers. Miraculously Perry got the required snooker and won the next 4 frames on the trot to beat Barry Hawkins 6-5.
After the match, Perry commentated:
“I really can’t believe it. When Barry potted the ball to leave me a snooker, I was thinking about what to say to him and wish him all the best for Sunday.
“This game is mad and ceases to amaze.
“It is the best win of my career. I have to go out against O’Sullivan and play to the best of my ability.”
So who is the likely player to win today in the final?
Ronnie O’Sullivan is hands down the man to beat. If O’Sullivan plays as well as he did yesterday against Fu, then he could lift the trophy for the second consecutive year.
On the other hand, this is Joe Perry’s first time in a major final. Some players suffer and struggle to play well given the magnitude, whilst other relish in the occasion.
It’s hard to see how O’Sullivan could lose this, but as we all know, anything can happen in a game of snooker.
