Performing as if he had been playing with his cue for seven years rather than days, Ronnie O'Sullivan reached the Masters final for the eighth time with a 6-1 trouncing of Stephen Maguire at Wembley last night.

O'Sullivan, who deliberately smashed his old cue on the eve of the tournament, highlighted another smooth display that had many of the sport's veterans shaking their heads in disbelief, with breaks of 102, 84, 66, 70 and a 136 total clearance. O'Sullivan now plays Mark Selby for a first prize of £150,000 and his fourth Masters triumph.

Selby, who won 6–2 over John Higgins, captured the title on his debut last year and has won seven consecutive matches in the event. If he goes the extra step against O'Sullivan, he will become only the fourth player successfully to defend in the Masters' 34-year history.