Snooker: Trump holds too many aces for O'Sullivan

Judd Trump reached the Masters semi-final with a 6-2 victory (Getty Images)

Judd Trump cruised into the BGC Masters semi-finals with an emphatic victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan, the four-time champion, yesterday. Snooker's rising star crushed O'Sullivan 6-2 at Alexandra Palace in north London to take a step closer to this year's £150,000 first prize.

Afterwards the 22-year-old from Bristol, winner of last month's UK Championship, paid tribute to his opponent. "I think Ronnie's done everything he wants to do in the game. Maybe now he regrets it [that's he's not achieved more] a little bit, but I think he's stuck by what he's done in the past.

"He's enjoyed himself on and off the table and he's entertained the crowds for 20 years. Everyone still loves him and, for however long he plays the game he will be the fans' favourite."

Trump caught the world No 16 cold and raced into a 4-0 lead with breaks of 39, 66, 78 and 140. But O'Sullivan rallied, and even produced a tournament-high break of 141 which could earn him a bonus £15,000. But Trump seized on an uncharacteristic miss to end the match with a 65.