December 24, 2024

World Snooker Championship 2020: Ronnie O’Sullivan fights back but still trails Mark Selby

Selby #Selby

Ronnie O'Sullivan Ronnie O’Sullivan lost to Mark Selby at the Crucible in both 2014 and 2010 Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Dates: 31 July-16 August Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and Red Button, with uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app. Full details and times.

Five-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan trails Mark Selby 13-11 going into Friday’s concluding session of their World Championship semi-final.

Three-time champion Selby opened up a four-frame gap at 13-9 after the duo traded frames before the interval.

However, O’Sullivan held his nerve to clear the colours after Selby missed a crucial red into the top-right corner.

O’Sullivan then claimed an error-strewn frame to set-up an intriguing finale, with the first to 17 making the final.

Selby had started the morning with a 9-7 lead and quickly found his stride with a break of 97.

While O’Sullivan twice hit back it was Selby who took control of the match with consecutive breaks of 72 to establish a 13-9 lead.

O’Sullivan seemingly frustrated by a unfortunate run of the balls, looked to have lost his focus with a series of rash shot choices and loose safety.

However, O’Sullivan, who has won a record 19 Triple Crown titles, rallied to leave the match delicately poised.

The final which will be played on Saturday, will see fans return to the Crucible Theatre after the government announced that its programme of pilot events to allow fans at sporting events can resume from this weekend.

Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news on the BBC app.