O'Sullivan in to German Masters semi-finals

Ronnie O'Sullivan responded further to the pressure generated by the danger of losing his top-16 ranking by booking his place in the semi-finals of the partypoker.net German Masters last night.

The 36-year-old three-time world champion was on the brink of losing his place among the game's elite when he trailed Andrew Higginson 4-0 in the first round.

But, as he has often done during his colourful career, O'Sullivan responded in style, winning five frames in a row to secure his victory, and he did not waste his chance as he beat both Joe Perry and Matthew Stevens.

His performance in beating Perry 5-1 in the early session was evidence of why he remains the biggest draw on the circuit, firing two centuries on his way to securing a last-eight meeting with Stevens.

He won that 5-3 last night and, while he was not as his swashbuckling best, he did win four frames in a row to come from 3-1 down to move to within two wins of what would be a first ranking event title for over two years.

O'Sullivan will come up against Stephen Lee in today's semi-final after he dumped out reining champion Mark Williams.

Williams beat Stuart Bingham 5-2 in yesterday afternoon's session, but he could not replicate the form in the night session as Lee ran out a 5-3 winner, wrapping things up with a century.